Prem Rugby team ditch Big Game fixture at Premier League ground

Prem Rugby club Gloucester have cancelled a planned fixture at Aston Villa’s Villa Park after its inaugural staging last season was criticised by fans.

A Slater Cup fixture between Gloucester and Leicester Tigers was held at the Premier League ground last season, with a number of discounted tickets helping the attendance top 20,000 – around half the capacity of the West Midlands arena.

But after just one game at Villa Park, Gloucester’s annual game against Leicester will revert to the club’s Kingsholm Stadium.

“Following a thorough review of the event, including extensive feedback from supporters and stakeholders,” Gloucester told fans, “the club has decided that the Slater Cup will return to Kingsholm for the 2026/27 season.

“This decision has also been influenced by significant stadium developments planned at Villa Park over the coming months.”

Development work is taking place at Villa Park, with a £100m expansion of the North Stand set to increase the stadium’s capacity to north of 50,000 ahead of the 2028 European Championships. These works have been planned for a number of years. 

The club announced a losses hike of 450 per cent earlier this year.

Villa Park development

“The experience at Villa Park provided valuable learning and reinforced the opportunities that big game fixtures can create in terms of growing our reach, attracting new audiences, and strengthening Gloucester Rugby’s position for the future,” the club’s chief executive Alex Brown said.

“As we look ahead, our focus is on delivering the best possible matchday experience for our supporters at Kingsholm, while continuing to explore opportunities that support the long-term growth of the club, which may well include future big games.”

Big Games are planned this season across three major stadiums. Harlequins will continue to host their annual big game and summer kick-off matches at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium while Bristol Bears will host their big day out fixture at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

Saracens are due to host their major fixture at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.