If you’ve got tickets to a rugby match, and you’re working through logistics for the day, then it’s worth having an idea as to what sort of time you’re aiming to arrive at the stadium. Here’s a guide, which will help you understand when you should get to the game, depending on what you want from the day.
You should aim to arrive at the stadium and have passed through the gates at least a good half an hour before the match starts. Doing this will ensure that you are in your seats, ready to watch the game, in time for kick off. It will leave you with enough time to use the facilities, and buy something to eat or drink that you can take with you to your seats.
Watching a live rugby game, really does make for a great day out. Although the match itself won’t be much more than an hour and a half, there’s plenty of pre match atmosphere that you can soak up in and around the Stadium on match day.
How Early Should You Get To A Rugby Game?
Exactly how early you get to a rugby game, totally depends on what you want to get out of the day.
If you’re one for fully experiencing the day and taking in all the pre match build up; then it’s a good idea to get to the stadium, or at least near to it, with a good few hours to relax and settle into the occasion. Allow yourself plenty of time to have something to eat, accompanied possibly by a few drinks, and enjoy the pre match buzz.
If you do plan to arrive in good time, the 1st thing I’d do is get a handle on where I’ll be sitting. Once you’ve figured this out, you can always wander down to almost pitch side and watch the teams warming up. You’ll get to appreciate just how skill full the players are!
I love this part pre kick off. I get to see these players that I’m used to seeing on the TV, up close and personal. It’s a privilege and an eye opener (as the dad of a keen young player) to watch them warming up, going through their drills.
It’s also inspirational for young amateur players to see the pros doing their prematch training drills. It gives them fresh ideas on new training drills to apply to their own game and puts in perspective just how good the players on the pitch are.
Another benefit of getting to the stadium nice and early is having the chance to get close to and within earshot of inspirational past players, turned commentators and pundits. Who will be there with the particular broadcaster of the event that is presenting the match that’s about to take place.
Stadium opening times will vary depending on the stadium you’re going to, so it’s worth checking that out with the particular stadium you’re planing to visit.
To give you an example though, the gates at Twickenham will open around 3 hours and 45 minutes before kick off along with all the bars and food outlets in the stadium.
Do bear in mind that once inside the stadium, prices for food and drinks can be pretty steep. So you may want to consider finding a good rugby pub and / or restaurant within a 5 or 10 minutes walk of the stadium; where you can grab a couple of drinks and a bite to eat before heading on to the game.
How Long Before Kick Off Should You Arrive At The Rugby Stadium?
If you’re not one for taking in all the pre match hype at the stadium, and you’d rather just get there in time for the match. Then you should aim to be through the gates and inside the stadium around 30 minutes before kick off.
This will give you enough time to get yourself a drink (remember that many stadiums will not allow any food or drink to be brought in to them), use any facilities you need and get to your seats in time to see the players come out of the tunnel and start the match.
If you haven’t yet booked your tickets to the game you’re planning to go and watch, then I’d encourage you to have a read of this article I wrote recently on where to sit in a rugby stadium. You may find it a useful guide when choosing your seats.
How Long Does A Rugby Match Actually Take?
Although not part of the match itself; you’ll want to take into account that if it’s an international; there will be national anthems at the beginning which will add 5-10 minutes, to the overall game time.
And if the match is an international, featuring either New Zealand, or a team from the Pacific Islands. Then you’ll be watching one of these teams performing their ceremonial ‘war dance’ after the national anthems. This will take another 5 minutes or so.
A rugby match consists of 2 halves, each around 40 minutes. There will be game stoppages in each half and possibly longer stoppages due to any on-field injuries that might occur. Half time is 15 minutes.
In the second half, once the full 80 minutes is up, the match doesn’t end until the ball goes dead. So you could easily play an extra 5 or 10 minutes of rugby in the second half after the 80 minutes have passed.
So, although the match itself is only stated as 80 minutes, you’re best off allowing for somewhere between 1 hour and 40 minutes and 2 hours.
Can You Leave Your Seat During The Match?
During the match you may find yourself wanting to get some more drinks from the bar, grab a bite to eat, just stretch your legs a bit, or use the facilities. And that’s totally fine. If at any time during the course of the match you want to get up from your seat, you have every right to do so.
It might be considerate though, if you are someone who likes to leave your seat a few times during match play; to book seats on the end of a row. That way you won’t be interrupting your seat neighbours’ spectacle, by making them stand up numerous times in order to let you out.
Can You Leave The Stadium Before The Match Has Finished?
Once a rugby match has finished, there can be many people all trying to make their way home at the same time, in their preferred means of transport. This can make for busy public transport and / or slower than normal journeys home.
If it’s been a dreadful match, and you can simply stand no more watching of your beloved team getting an absolute thrashing; or the weather is utterly dismal, and what you’re wearing simply isn’t protecting you from the elements, then yes, you can absolutely leave the stadium before the match has finished.
I’ve not done this myself as I’m ever the optimist, at times willing my team on for a victory or at least a ‘saving face’ try in the dying minutes of the game.
How Long Does A Stadium Stay Open After The Final Whistle?
This varies from stadium to stadium, but on average you’ll be able to hang around in the ground for a couple of hours after the final whistle. Plenty of time and have a few drinks at the bar and run through the post match analysis with your fellow supporters.