Rugby fans—there’s nothing quite like the roar of a packed stadium on match day. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my years on tour, it’s that the right ground can turn a good contest into an unforgettable showdown.
So, when the experts at Live Rugby Tickets decided to uncover which of the world’s best rugby stadiums genuinely satisfy their supporters—and which ones miss the mark—I was all ears.
They crunched over 15,000 TripAdvisor reviews from 40 major rugby stadiums around the globe, using four main criteria: atmosphere, cleanliness, affordability, and food. Each venue then received an average score out of ten. Let’s see how they fared.
Top Performers
Recreation Ground – Bath, England (9.5/10)
Sitting pretty at the top, the Recreation Ground has long been a favourite for both its scenic location and fiercely loyal Bath Rugby supporters.
According to this study, it scored a near-perfect 9.7 out of 10 for both cleanliness and affordability, making it the top choice for fans who want that glorious combination of tradition, comfort, and value.
Welford Road – Leicester, England (9/10)
Home to the Leicester Tigers, Welford Road grabbed top marks in cleanliness (9.5/10) and food (9.3/10). It’s a place that never fails to light up with passion, and these scores prove just how much attention they pay to details that keep fans coming back.
Totally Wicked Stadium – St. Helens, England (8.5/10)
This one’s known for delivering a lively match-day experience. Scoring strongly across the board, it’s no surprise that fans love the buzz found in the stands at St. Helens.
Parc y Scarlets – Llanelli, Wales (8/10)
A proud Welsh fortress, Parc y Scarlets has a well-earned reputation for dedicated supporters and thrilling games. Finishing with a solid 8 out of 10, it’s one of the best rugby stadiums in the eyes of many fans.
Sandy Park – Exeter, England (7.9/10)
Rounding out the top five, Sandy Park proved popular for atmosphere and affordability (8.2/10 in each category). Whether you’re an Exeter Chiefs devotee or a neutral admirer, this stadium holds its own in delivering an entertaining day out.
Where Fans Are Least Satisfied
Estadio Ciudad de La Plata – Buenos Aires, Argentina (0.3/10)
Unfortunately, this venue scored rock bottom in three of the four categories—atmosphere, cleanliness, and food. Even passionate Argentinian fans couldn’t lift it from the last spot.
Allianz Riviera – Nice, France (0.6/10)
Despite the beautiful city of Nice, Allianz Riviera didn’t fare well in this study. The low overall rating suggests there’s room to improve for visiting supporters.
Stadio Olimpico – Rome, Italy (1/10)
An iconic location steeped in history, but it seems fans found fault with aspects like affordability and cleanliness. Hopefully future upgrades will give it a boost.
National Stadium – Singapore (1.7/10)
While Singapore has impressive architecture, the stadium’s score suggests fans feel there’s potential for improvement in everything from atmosphere to food options.
Stade de France – Saint-Denis, France (1.9/10)
A legendary venue known for high-stakes international fixtures, yet it appears to have missed the mark in this particular study. With any luck, it’ll bounce back to form in no time.
The Takeaway
Finding the best rugby stadiums isn’t just about a massive capacity or even your team’s track record—it’s about how the venue amplifies the passion of the game. From the energy in the stands to the cleanliness of the concourse, every detail matters.
This new research from Live Rugby Tickets shows that no matter where you are in the world, fans value a combination of a cracking atmosphere, reasonable prices, decent grub, and a spotless environment. And when all those elements align, you end up with a stadium that feels like a true home for rugby.