The Big Game (rugby union) explained

The Big Game is an annual rugby union match hosted by Harlequins since 2008 and Harlequins Women since 2021.[1] It is held during the Christmas holiday season each year. It is one of the regular home matches in Premiership Rugby for the men's team and in Premiership Women's Rugby for the women's team. The fixture is moved from their usual home ground at the Twickenham Stoop (with a capacity of 14,816[2]) to the much larger Twickenham Stadium (with 82,000 seats[3]).

There have been other high-profile matches in London between Premiership Rugby clubs at other times, including the London Double Header (2004-2017), Bath's The Clash at Twickenham and Saracens' games at Wembley Stadium, London Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Since 2022 Harlequins have also hosted an additional match at Twickenham near the end of the season known as Big Summer Kick-off.[4]

Big Game 1

See also: 2008–09 Premiership Rugby.

Big Game 2

See also: 2009–10 Premiership Rugby.

Big Game 3

See also: 2010–11 Premiership Rugby.

Big Game 4

See also: 2011–12 Premiership Rugby.

Big Game 5

See also: 2012–13 Premiership Rugby.

Big Game 6

See also: 2013–14 Premiership Rugby.

Big Game 7

See also: 2014–15 Premiership Rugby.

Big Game 8

See also: 2015–16 Premiership Rugby.

Big Game 9

See also: 2016–17 Premiership Rugby.

Big Game 10

See also: 2017–18 Premiership Rugby.

Big Game 11

See also: 2018–19 Premiership Rugby.

Big Game 12

See also: 2019–20 Premiership Rugby.

Women's friendly

Big Game 13

See also: 2021–22 Premiership Rugby and 2021–22 Premier 15s.

Pending developments with the COVID-19 pandemic, Big Game 13 was planned to be held in spring 2021.[7] The game never came to fruition and Harlequins would instead return to Twickenham twice the following season. Big Game 13 was the first time that Harlequins Women had played a Premier 15s match at Twickenham Stadium.[1]

Men's fixture

Big Game 14

See also: 2022–23 Premiership Rugby and 2022–23 Premier 15s.

Harlequins intended to play Big Game 14 during the normal festive period. However, due to industrial action they were forced to play their festive fixture against Bristol Bears at Twickenham Stoop and would instead move their round 19 match against Exeter Chiefs to Twickenham.[8] They would return to Twickenham the following month for their annual 'Big Summer Kick-Off' match

Men's fixture

Big Game 15

See also: 2023–24 Premiership Rugby and 2023–24 Premiership Women's Rugby.

Men's fixture

Big Game 16

See also: 2024–25 Premiership Rugby and 2024–25 Premiership Women's Rugby.

Men's fixture

[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Big Game Is Back At Twickenham. Twickenham Stadium. 23 September 2021. 13 September 2023.
  2. Web site: Club-by-club guide - Harlequins. BBC. 1 September 2009. 7 January 2014.
  3. Web site: Twickenham Stadium. Rugby Football Union. 7 January 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140108005036/http://www.rfu.com/TwickenhamStadium. 8 January 2014. dmy-all.
  4. Web site: Big Summer Kick-Off . 2022-12-18 . www.quins.co.uk . en-gb.
  5. Web site: Sheppard . Callum . Big Game 4 ticket sales set new record . The Big Game . 23 December 2011 . 28 December 2011.
  6. News: Harlequins 11-19 Saracens . BBC Sport . 27 December 2011 . 28 December 2011.
  7. Web site: 29 September 2020. Premiership fixtures announced. Harlequin FC.
  8. Web site: 'We are devastated' - Harlequins forced to postpone 'Big Game' . 2022-12-18 . amp.rugbypass.com . 15 December 2022 . en.
  9. Web site: 23 July 2024 . 2024/25 GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP FIXTURES . 27 July 2024 . quins.co.uk.