Kingsholm Stadium

Kingsholm Stadium stands in the Kingsholm area of Gloucester, beside the city’s railway lines. It is the home ground of Gloucester Rugby, a professional rugby union club. The stadium occupies the former Castle Grim estate, which gives it the local nickname ‘Castle Grim’. The main grandstand, opened in 2007, seats 7,500 along the south touchline and is sponsored by Malvern Tyres. Terraced standing areas run along the north and west sides, while the east side is a seated stand facing Kingsholm Road. The oldest part, known as The Shed, runs the full length of the pitch on the north side. Kingsholm has a long history with international rugby. Before Twickenham became England’s permanent home, Kingsholm hosted several England fixtures. It also staged a pool match in the 1991 Rugby World Cup when New Zealand beat the United States. In the 2015 Rugby World Cup it hosted six pool games, including matches featuring Tonga, Georgia, Scotland and Argentina. The ground has also welcomed Barbarian F.C. and the Ireland team for a friendly in 2008. Alongside rugby, Kingsholm has hosted pop concerts by Elton John, Madness and Little Mix. Visitors enter through the East Stand on Kingsholm Road, which seats around 3,000. The North Stand, or The Shed, holds about 3,000 more and is famous for its low roof and close view of the pitch. The West Stand terrace seats 1,615 and has hospitality boxes above. The stadium’s compact shape keeps spectators close to the action. Outside, the railway lines and surrounding streets give a sense of the city’s working edge. Inside, the mix of old terracing and modern seating reflects the club’s evolving identity.