Army v Navy Returns to Twickenham in 2026

The Army v Navy rugby match returns to Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday 2nd May 2026, continuing one of the most established rivalries in British sport and service life.

Played in front of large annual crowds and steeped in tradition, the fixture brings together serving personnel, veterans and supporters for a day that sits firmly in the rugby calendar.

First contested in 1878 and established as an annual fixture from 1907, the match has been held at Twickenham since 1914. Over time, it has developed into the standout event of the Inter-Service Championship, with the winning side awarded the Babcock Trophy. While the rivalry between the two teams is competitive, the occasion also reflects the shared identity and history of the Armed Forces community.

The teams represent two long-standing institutions in service rugby, Army Rugby Union and Royal Navy Rugby Union, both of which have contributed significantly to the development of the game within the military. The fixture itself regularly draws crowds in excess of 80,000, making it one of the most well-attended rugby events in the UK outside of international fixtures.

Over the years, the match has produced a number of notable contests, including tightly fought encounters and dramatic late swings in momentum. It is also a fixture that tends to attract a strong atmosphere inside Twickenham, with supporters from both services filling the stands in large numbers.

Alongside the rugby, the day is widely used for entertaining and corporate hosting, with hospitality playing an increasingly important role in the event experience. For 2026, Eventmasters will be offering a range of private suite packages designed to provide a structured and comfortable matchday environment within the stadium.

Guests will begin the day with a champagne reception on arrival, followed by a four-course meal served in a private suite by a dedicated member of staff. Depending on the suite layout, dining can be arranged in either a formal or more relaxed style, offering flexibility for different types of groups and occasions.

A complimentary bar is available throughout the day, including wines, beers, cider, Guinness and soft drinks. Premium match seats are located directly outside the private suite, allowing guests to move easily between hospitality and live action during the match. Matchday programmes are also included.

Private suites are available in 10, 12 and 20-seater formats, making the offering suitable for smaller groups through to larger corporate gatherings. With Twickenham as the setting and a long-established fixture on the field, Army v Navy 2026 provides a straightforward combination of top-level service rugby and structured hospitality in one of the sport’s most recognisable venues. Find out more here.