XLNC Cars Blog
Twickenham Parking on Match Days: Car Parks, Road Closures and Drop-Off
In short: Twickenham parking on a match day must be pre-booked through the official England Rugby ticketing site, spaces are very limited, and surrounding streets become a council event-day parking zone. The stadium lists North, Cardinal Vaughan and Rosebine Avenue car parks, plus Tesco for Blue Badge holders. Twickenham station is a ten-minute walk.
On a big rugby day, the question is not really where to park at Twickenham but whether you can park at all. Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, the home of England Rugby on Whitton Road, sells match-day spaces in advance only, and the council turns the surrounding streets into a one-day controlled zone. This guide sets out what the official pages say today, then how to avoid the car park altogether.
Can you park at Allianz Stadium Twickenham on a match day?
Yes, but only with a space booked in advance. The stadium’s getting here page states that match-day parking must be pre-booked through the official ticketing site, and the England Rugby help centre adds that parking around the stadium is very limited. There is no turn-up-and-pay option, so book as soon as you hold tickets.
Prices and availability vary by fixture, so check the current charge on the event’s own parking tab rather than relying on last season’s figure.
Which car parks does the RFU list for match days?
The England Rugby help centre names four match-day car parks: North, Cardinal Vaughan, Rosebine Avenue and a Tesco car park kept for accessible bookings. Two are on the stadium site and two are off it. Each has its own access road, surface and sat-nav postcode, which matters once the surrounding roads start closing.
- North Car Park – on site, via Whitton Dene. Large gravel, uneven ground, with a free area for motorbikes.
- Cardinal Vaughan Car Park – on site, via Whitton Dene. Grass with some hard track, cars only, maximum height 6ft 1in.
- Rosebine Avenue Car Park – off site, via the A316. Grass, about a 10 to 15 minute walk.
- Tesco Car Park – off site on Mogden Lane, about 300 metres from Gate D, for Blue Badge holders and accessible bookings only.
Car parks generally open about five hours before a rugby kick-off, though each fixture sets its own times.
Can you park on the streets near the stadium instead?
Usually not. Richmond Council introduces the Twickenham Event Zone, also called Controlled Parking Zone R, when very large crowds are expected, and its page currently lists zone hours of 11am to 11pm on event days. Cars parked there without a valid permit may receive a Penalty Charge Notice.
The zone is run with Hounslow Council, and the RFU warns that vehicles without a permit can also be removed. The council says some of its own car parks open on event days and strongly recommends public transport. Current zone maps and dates are on Richmond Council’s Twickenham event parking page.
When do the roads around the stadium close?
Before kick-off and again after the final whistle. The RFU says Whitton Road and Rugby Road close roughly 90 minutes before kick-off, and advises reaching your car park by then. Richmond Council adds that closures can also cover part of London Road and typically last around one and a half to two hours either side of the event.
The RFU notes the pre-match closures do not affect access to the Cardinal Vaughan, North and Tesco car parks. After the match, closures last as long as the crowds need; the north side of the ground generally clears faster as fans head south to Twickenham and Whitton stations.
Where do Blue Badge holders park?
Accessible parking is in the Tesco store car park on Mogden Lane, at the corner of Rugby Road and Whitton Dene, and it must be booked online. The RFU asks for a copy of both sides of the badge, sent through its help request form, before it can apply a concession to your account.
On arrival, give your registration to the parking steward so the session is authorised. Richmond Council also permits Blue Badge holders to park within the event zone.
How do you get to Twickenham by train?
Twickenham station is the closest, about a ten-minute walk. The stadium’s FAQs say it has mainline services to London Waterloo, Reading and Windsor and Eton Riverside. Whitton is roughly a 20-minute walk, and Richmond, with rail and District line trains, about 45 minutes on foot.
On event days with more than 35,000 people expected, the RFU also runs shuttle buses from Richmond station and Hounslow East. Some local bus routes divert once the road closures start.
What is the alternative to parking at Twickenham?
A pre-arranged drop-off and collection, so nobody needs a parking space, a permit or a designated driver. Your chauffeur follows the stadium’s published arrangements for that fixture: set down before the closures begin, then meet you afterwards at a collection point agreed in advance, away from the closed roads. We have no special access to the ground.
Because the stadium posts travel details per major event, that fixture’s Plan Your Visit page is the one to read before the day. Pick-ups can start from towns such as Weybridge, which our Weybridge chauffeur service covers, or from our home town with the Woking chauffeur service.
How do you book a match-day chauffeur from Surrey?
Tell us the fixture, kick-off time, pickup address and group size, and we agree one fixed fare before you travel. XLNC Cars is based in Woking and takes bookings 24/7. Choose a Standard Saloon, Executive or VIP car, or the Minibus to keep a group together with no car park to book.
If the day includes lunch, a hotel or a late finish, hiring a driver for the whole day keeps the car on hand. Our guide to chauffeur travel for Surrey sporting events covers Ascot, Epsom and Wentworth too. For more, see chauffeur hire across Surrey or contact us to book your match day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the North Car Park at Twickenham open to anyone on match day?
Only if you have booked it. The England Rugby help centre says all match-day parking must be booked online through the fixture's parking tab. The North Car Park is on site, reached via Whitton Dene, with a large gravel surface that the RFU says is not suitable for people with impaired mobility.
Can I park a minibus or van at the stadium?
Not in every car park. The RFU lists the Cardinal Vaughan car park as cars only, with no minibuses, vans or coaches, and a height limit. Check the fixture's own parking page before booking a larger vehicle, since availability and vehicle types vary from event to event.
What time do the Twickenham car parks open?
It depends on the event. The England Rugby help centre says car parks generally open around five hours before kick-off for rugby matches, but each fixture page sets its own opening and closing times. Camper vans and overnight stays are not permitted in the match-day car parks.
Is there a shuttle bus to the stadium on match days?
On event days with more than 35,000 people expected, the RFU runs shuttle buses between Richmond station and the stadium and between Hounslow East and the stadium. They run for about three hours before kick-off and after the final whistle. Check the current fare on the official help page.
Where is the Rosebine Avenue car park?
The RFU gives TW2 7PS for Rosebine Avenue, which is off site and reached from the A316. It is a grass car park roughly a 10 to 15 minute walk from the stadium, and the RFU does not recommend it for anyone with impaired mobility.
Does the event-day parking zone apply to small fixtures too?
Not always. Richmond Council says the full zone is usually used when more than 30,000 people are expected, while a smaller sub-zone covering roads opposite the stadium applies at around 30,000. Operating days are signposted in advance at the zone entry points.
Can a chauffeur wait near the stadium during the match?
Not on the closed roads, and not in residents' bays inside the event zone. A sensible plan is a drop-off before closures begin and a collection at an agreed point after the crowds thin, rather than a car waiting outside the ground for eighty minutes plus.