Sixways Stadium
Sixways Stadium is a stadium in Worcester, England. It is currently used for rugby union and association football matches and is the home stadium of Premiership Rugby club Worcester Warriors and West Midlands Regional League Premier Division football side Worcester Raiders.[2] The stadium is able to hold 11,499 with parking for 1,000 cars, Sixways has 60 modern meeting and event rooms .[1] The ground opened 1975 and is located off junction 6 of the M5 motorway, which splits into six directions, hence the name Sixways. The Stadium commenced building on the site of the old 3rd team pitch and club house after a lottery grant in 1998.
Sixways | |
 The East Stand to the east of the stadium | |
| |
| Location | Warriors Way, Worcester WR3 8ZE[1] |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 52°12′56″N 2°09′45″W |
| Capacity | 11,499[1] |
| Surface | Limonta Max S Turf |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1998 |
| Renovated | 2008[1] |
| Tenants | |
| Worcester Warriors Worcester Raiders | |
On 7 April 2016 it was announced that Sixways' pitch would be converted to the latest technology artificial grass ahead of the 2016–17 season. Sixways would become the third premiership venue with an artificial pitch after Barnet Copthall stadium and Kingston Park but the first to feature organic infill rather than rubber crumb.[3]
East Stand
The main focal point of Sixways Stadium is the magnificent East Stand which was completed in 2008 and has become one of the iconic images of Worcester on arrival in the city from the M5.
The multimillion-pound development on the east side of the stadium complex includes The PitchView Restaurant, The Business Club, The Duckworth Suite, The Worcester Suite, The Hindlip Suite and many boxes which are utilised every day of the year. Below the stand is the Slick Systems Supporters bar area for fans to enjoy on matchdays and many food outlets and programme booths.
The entrance to the East Stand is through the main glass fronted club reception which is also home to the Sixways Store and Warriors Ticket Office which are open throughout the week.
West Stand
The popular West Stand at Sixways Stadium has become a key gathering point for fans on matchdays as the most established stand at the home of the Warriors. The West Stand houses the Clubhouse Bar which offers a wide selection of draught and bottled beer. There is also a separate food counter serving hot snacks and in front of the bar is a large standing area to take in all the action.
The Sixways Premier Suites Upper and Lower are located to the south end of the stand and offer a large bar area and dance floor with a live band after every game. A lively and friendly sociable atmosphere is guaranteed to greet both home and away supporters after the action!
Above the Clubhouse Bar on the second floor is the International Bar which is full of rugby memorabilia past and present - and offers a fantastic view of all the action! Opposite is the Hallmark Bar which hosts an exclusive bar and dining area open to West Stand Debenture holders.
The West Stand is also home to the indoor training centre, changing rooms and rugby department offices which become the main training area for the Warriors during the week.
South Stand
Standing proud behind the posts at Sixways Stadium, the South Stand is a busy and lively place to watch the action unfold on a big Warriors match day. The stand hosts 30 hospitality boxes for supporters to take in all the action over two floors with spacious bar areas to the rear.
The South Stand Terrace, in the middle of the stand, is a busy bar area where supporters can meet and enjoy food and drink before, during and after the kick-off at Warriors.
North Stand
The all-seater North Stand gives supporters the chance to get close up to the action with easy access to bars to the left and right of the stand on match days. Popular with groups, the stand also hosts many of our Family Season Tickets. One of the most easily accessible areas of the stadium and with reasonably priced tickets, this stand often attracts many newcomers to the game eager to enjoy a Warriors fixture. Plans have been approved to increase the North Stand at Sixways Stadium to make it the same size as the Slick Systems Stand in years to come and complete an impressive looking front to the complex on arrival.
Finals
The stadium hosted the 2009–10 LV Cup final on 21 March 2010 between Northampton Saints and Gloucester. Northampton won 30–24.[4]
Sixways hosted the 2011–12 LV Cup final on 18 March 2012 between Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints. Leicester won 26–14.[5]
The stadium also hosted the 2012–13 LV Cup final on 17 March 2013. Harlequins defeated Sale Sharks 32–14 in front of 8,100 spectators[6] and gained a place in the 2013–14 Heineken Cup as a result.
The stadium has also hosted the Britbowl, the championship game of British American Football twice, in 2010 and 2016. London Blitz played in both finals, beating Coventry Jets 34–20 in 2010 and losing to London Warriors 36–15 in 2016.
References
- "About Sixways Stadium". Worcester Warriors. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- "Worcester Warriors | Football comes to Sixways with Worcester Raiders deal". warriors.co.uk. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- Berkely, Geoff. "Worcester Warriors to install synthetic pitch for next season". Worcester Warriors. Worcester News. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
- "Northampton 30-24 Gloucester". BBC. 21 March 2010. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- "Leicester Tigers 26 - 14 Northampton Saints". premiershiprugby.com. 18 March 2012. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- "Harlequins 32 - 14 Sale Sharks". premiershiprugby.com. 17 March 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2013.