The awarding of the showpiece occasion sees the first final of the season return to the East Midlands for the first time since Gloucester beat Newcastle in March 2011. The announcement follows the precedent established last year in which Sandy Park became the first LV= Cup final venue to sell all its tickets, with the majority booked before the pool stages had even ended.
Franklin’s Gardens has hosted a number of high profile rugby events over the past few years, including the Churchill Cup in 2011, several England Under-20 Six Nations internationals and regular legs of the Premiership Rugby Sevens Series.
The stadium has a unique atmosphere and outstanding facilities that were recognised by the ‘Rugby Tonight’ audience, who voted Franklin’s Gardens as their favourite away venue in the Aviva Premiership.
Ticket prices range between £20 and £35 for adults, with tickets for Under-16s and concessions available at £10 and £15 respectively in most areas of the stadium.
A special Early Bird adult ticket is also available in the Burrda Sport Stand for just £20!
Tickets will be available to book at www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/buytickets from Wednesday, October 29th, 2014 at 11am.
The LV= Cup final weekend will also see Northampton town centre be taken over with a festival of rugby, with details to be announced closer to the time.
With Franklin’s Gardens just five minutes from the M1, and within easy reach of all areas of the country, Saints chief executive Allan Robson is looking forward to seeing supporters from all clubs at the stadium next March.
“Northampton is in the heart of England and within two-to-three hours’ drive of the majority of Premiership clubs,” he said. “With no other top flight club rugby that weekend it is an opportunity for supporters of all clubs to come and be a part of the first final of the season. We know first-hand that the LV= Cup final can produce some outstanding and exhilarating rugby, and with plenty of entertainment both on and off the pitch this will be an event for all the family!”
“We are delighted to be taking the LV= Cup final to Franklin’s Gardens,” added Clare Jeromson, head of sponsorship at LV=. “As with all LV= Cup Final venues, the stadium offers superb facilities and is sure to be a great day out for all the family. As it will be the last LV= Cup game for a while, we are especially looking forward to making it a memorable occasion for the rugby family.”
Councillor David Mackintosh, Leader of Northampton Borough Council, says that the whole weekend will be something to savour in the town.
“The RFU decision to host the LV= Cup final in Northampton is fantastic news for our town,” he said. “Franklin’s Gardens is a top class stadium which has shown time and again that it is an outstanding venue for high profile fixtures. Northampton is a town that loves its rugby, and we’re looking forward to creating a memorable weekend with events that will welcome people to our town and offer something for supporters from all clubs.”
With the Saints opening their LV= Cup campaign this weekend, director of rugby Jim Mallinder says that having the final at Franklin’s Gardens provide the players with a massive incentive.
“You don’t get that many chances to run out on your home ground in a major final,” he said. “We know from our experience last season how much playing the LV= Cup final at Sandy Park meant to the Exeter players and supporters, and we also know how much it would mean to us if we reached the final at Franklin’s Gardens. But there is a lot of rugby to be played first, starting this Saturday!”
