Rugby Union

How to buy tickets as rugby fortresses Twickenham, Northampton and Gloucester gear up for 2027 Inter Service battles

Royal Navy win back-to-back Inter Services titles at Allianz Stadium

Tickets are now on sale for the highly anticipated 2027 Inter Service Rugby Union competition at rugby strongholds Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, DPD Stadium at Franklin's Gardens in Northampton; and Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester.

All six matches will be shown live on the BFBS Forces News YouTube channel, with extensive content and coverage on BFBS Radio, social media channels and forcesnews.com.

The men's and women's championships have showcased the abundant passion, pride and panache of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force’s top players, year on year.

Watch: Army women beat RAF to win record Inter Service title

For the six teams, the showdowns are fiercely contested, with bragging rights at a premium. However, the games are about even more than the result.

The matches reflect the elite level at which serving personnel compete, the fierce rivalry of the three services and indeed military rugby traditions which date back more than a century.

For thousands of people, including family, friends and other supporters, the stands offer a chance to reconnect with former teammates or personnel and come together with a shared identity.

The stadia too offer a chance for rugby aficionados and first-timers alike from the local areas to enjoy military rugby on the pitch in front of them.

Royal Navy v Royal Air Force - DPD Stadium at Franklin's Garden's, Northampton

Sunday 18 April

DPD Stadium at Franklin's Gardens – home of Premiership side Northampton Saints – is where the competition kicks off, as Northampton hosts the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force on Sunday 18 April.

In 2026, the Navy men began their title defence in style with a massive 47-16 victory over the RAF, while the Air Force women laid down the tournament gauntlet by beating their Naval counterparts 36-7.

Since the fixture was relocated from Plymouth Albion's Brickfield's Stadium to the home of the Northampton Saints in 2025, the Royal Navy men have won in the last two years that they have played there. 

The RAF women also matched that success – beating the Royal Navy women over the last two years that they've played in Northampton.

Watch: RAF women kick off Inter Service with a dominant win over Royal Navy

Northampton Saints chief executive Julia Chapman spoke highly of the forthcoming 2027 fixture and said: "It's a real privilege to host the Inter Service Championship at the DPD Stadium at Franklin's Gardens for a third year.

"What began as a new partnership has quickly established its place in our fixture list – a day that brings together service personnel, veterans, families and supporters in a way few events can.

"The atmosphere these matches create is unique. You feel the pride, the history and the connection between the armed forces and our community from the moment the gates open.

"Northampton Saints has long-standing ties with the military, and we're proud to continue providing a stage that honours that relationship while delivering an occasion people look forward to year after year."

Tickets are available here.

British Army v Royal Navy - Allianz Stadium Twickenham

Saturday 1 May

All eyes then turn to Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, The Home of English Rugby, as the British Army enter the fray to play the Navy.

The titanic clash is due to take place on Saturday 1 May.

In the men's showdown, the past three years have been tight affairs, and a topsy turvy game resulted in a 41-36 win for the Navy – winning consecutive championships for the first time in 52 years.

The ground has played a central role in the championships, which date back to 1920 in the men's game. Four years later, all three fixtures were played at Twickenham.

Over a century later, the competition also has under-23 and Masters matches, played outside the men's and women's match days.

The women's Army v Navy game has been played at Allianz Stadium since 2022, bringing parity with the men's event.

It has since been a happy hunting ground for the British Army women, who have long been the dominant force in women's forces rugby.

2026 was no different as they steamrollered the Navy 78-0.

Tickets are available here.

Watch: Army women light up Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, to win against Navy

Royal Air Force v British Army - Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester

Saturday 15 May

Kingsholm - home of Gloucester Rugby - is the venue for the final chapter of the competition, between the British Army and the Royal Air Force, on Saturday 15 May.

Casting minds back to 2026, the Army women sealed their championship with a 52-12 win over the light blues. The Army men finished off their campaign with a 38-20 win over their Air Force opponents.

Gloucester Rugby CEO Alex Brown said: "At Gloucester Rugby, we're incredibly proud of the city's rich military heritage and the deep-rooted connection between rugby and the Armed Forces.

"The Inter Services fixtures have become a standout event in the Kingsholm calendar, bringing together thousands of serving personnel, veterans and Gloucester Rugby supporters for a memorable weekend of rugby and rivalry.

"It's a brilliant example of the power of our sport to unite communities and celebrate shared values.

Watch: Army storm to victory against RAF to claim final Inter Service bragging rights

"We're looking forward to welcoming everyone to Kingsholm for what promises to be another fantastic occasion, both on and off the field."

Commodore Sarah Oakley, chair of the Inter Service Steering Group, said: "There is something very special about Inter Service rugby. The rivalry is fierce on the pitch, but after the match there is a shared sense of service, pride and camaraderie.

"These fixtures bring together players representing their Service, veterans meeting up with former colleagues, families supporting loved ones and local rugby supporters experiencing the Championship for themselves.

"You do not need to have a military connection to enjoy the day - these are occasions for anyone who loves rugby, a great atmosphere and a strong sense of community."

Tickets are available here.

2027 fixtures

  • Navy v RAF – Sunday 18 April 2027 – DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
  • Army v Navy – Saturday 1 May 2027 – Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
  • RAF v Army – Saturday 15 May 2027 – Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester

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