Harlequins usually host their annual festive ‘Big Game’ at Twickenham amid much fanfare
(Picture: Getty Images)Harlequins have been left “devastated” by moving their December 27 Bristol clash from Twickenham to The Stoop due to rail strikes.
Chief executive Laurie Dalrymple insisted Quins had no choice but to make the switch, with no trains to Twickenham Station before midday on December 27.
Harlequins were due to host the Big Game 14 at Twickenham, with both men’s and women’s teams taking on Bristol in their lucrative festive fixtures, with 75 per cent of tickets already sold.
Now the Big Game fixtures will take place at Twickenham against Exeter Chiefs on March 4 next year, with Harlequins banking on the move to generate the same vital revenue returns.
Quins will still hold their men’s and women’s fixtures against Bristol back-to-back on December 27, but at The Stoop rather than Twickenham.
“We are devastated to have to move Big Game 14 from its annual festive place in the calendar because of this strike action,” said Quins chief executive Dalrymple.
“We know how special this event is to our local community and this was due to be our biggest and best ever event.
“I can assure our supporters that we have worked tirelessly to find any way to stage the event on or even near December 27, reducing capacity, laying on buses or developing a park and ride scheme to name a few.
“Ultimately we must put the safety of our supporters and those working at the event first and it is clear that without the functioning rail network, we cannot safely deliver a large-scale event at Twickenham.
“The scale of the closures across multiple key train stations, train lines and tube lines is unprecedented and a much bigger impact that other recent smaller strikes on Twickenham match days. It is out of our control and we have sadly been left with no choice to postpone the fixture.”
Harlequins are contacting supporters with tickets for the Big Game Twickenham event, offering to honour existing bookings for the March fixtures against Exeter or else process refunds.
Tickets for Harlequins’ Bristol men’s and women’s double-header at The Stoop go on general sale today. Harlequins have added more than 1,000 car parking spaces for supporters to offset the rail strikes, almost doubling the usual capacity.
The RFU has confirmed all usual matchday parking restrictions will be lifted, while an extra shuttle bus to and from Richmond mainline stations will be operated.
“Many of our supporters live within walking distance from The Stoop or travel by car or their own means. With a 14,800 capacity, and supported by the additional parking from the RFU, we are able to deliver the match day,” said Dalrymple.
