British Army and Royal Air Force returning to Kingsholm until at least 2027

Inter Service Championship rugby has been confirmed at Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester, until at least 2027, following an agreement reached between the Army Rugby Union, Royal Air Force Rugby Union and Gloucester Rugby.

The Army and RAF have served up some fantastic rugby at Kingsholm Stadium over the last three years, no more so than in 2024, when both the Men’s and Women’s matches decided the destiny of the overall Championship title.

2024 also saw the Army Masters and RAF Vultures play at Kingsholm on the Friday night for the first time; this curtain raising fixture will continue to be hosted at Kingsholm until 2027.

As well as being one of English rugby’s most historic venues, Kingsholm Stadium has become a go-to stadium for showpiece matches, from the Rugby World Cup in 2015 through to multiple Women’s Premiership and European Rugby Challenge Cup finals, and the annual UK Armed Forces Remembrance match.

Having such a prestigious home on a consistent basis has helped the Army v RAF game increase its attendance year after year, and in 2024 almost 6,000 supporters wore their colours with pride, many of them attending on the Friday night as well.

“We’re delighted to have secured Kingsholm Stadium to host the Army v RAF matches for a further three years,” saidArmy Rugby Union Vice-Chair, Brig Gary McDade. “Gloucester has become a home-from-home for both the Army and RAF teams, and it is one of the highlights on both our calendars.

“Having a longer-term agreement like this means that we can plan not just for the 2025 matches, but to also build year-on-year to grow awareness of Inter Service rugby and attendances even more.”

“Kingsholm Stadium and Gloucester Rugby have been fantastic hosts for us over the last three seasons, and the RAF Rugby Union is looking forward to building on that successful relationship,” commented RAF Rugby Union Head of Events, Air Cdre Al Roberts.

“The standard of Inter Service Rugby builds year on year and it is apt that we can showcase this sporting rivalry in such a venue. Kingsholm has a unique atmosphere and it is a privilege to be able to play in such a marquee stadium in front of such an expert and enthusiastic crowd.

Matt Mulcahy, Gloucester Rugby’s Finance and Operations Director, added: “We’re delighted to renew our relationship for the Inter Service fixtures at Kingsholm.

“We’re seeing more and more people head to Kingsholm each year and it’s becoming a really popular event in the Gloucestershire calendar.

“Supporting the Armed Forces is really important to us and agreeing a new long-term deal allows us to continue to keep developing and growing the experience of the Army v RAF fixture, and I’m sure before long we will be welcoming even bigger crowds.”

The Army v Navy match has been the most recognised fixture in the military sport calendar for many years. However, Inter Service Championship Chair, Capt Sarah Oakley (RN), added that playing the other two matches at Premiership venues can help improve the standard and standing of the competition overall.

“The Inter Service Championship is not just about Twickenham, which is why the Army and RAF Rugby Unions have worked so hard to make Gloucester such a focal point of the season,” she said.

“Completing a multi-year agreement like this is a big statement for both the Army v RAF matches, but also the Inter Service Championship as a whole. We are also hopeful of signing a similar multi-year agreement with another top class venue to host the Royal Navy v Royal Air Force matches, which will be very exciting for all involved.”

Match date for the 2025 fixture and ticket information will be announced as soon as possible once we understand the domestic and European fixture demands on Kingsholm. Ticket information is also being finalised for Army v Navy 2025 and will be announced over the summer, which will return to Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, May 3, 2025.