DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens will, for the third successive year, host one of the standout fixtures of the Armed Forces sporting calendar, as the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force men’s and women’s teams go head‑to‑head in the 2027 Babcock Inter Service Rugby Championship on Sunday 18 April 2027.
For the players, it is the opportunity to pull on a shirt representing far more than a rugby club. For thousands of serving personnel, veterans and families in the stands, the fixtures offer a chance to reconnect, support colleagues and celebrate the shared identity of the Armed Forces community.
Having first hosted the fixtures in 2025, the home of Northampton Saints and Loughborough Lightning will once again welcome elite Service rugby, fierce rivalry, the traditions of two Armed Forces, and a matchday built around community as much as competition.
The Senior Women will kick off the day at 12pm, followed by the Senior Men at 3.30pm.
Early Bird tickets1 are on sale now, priced at just £12 for military personnel2, or £17 for adults and £5 for juniors.
Northampton Saints’ relationship with the UK Armed Forces spans more than a century. The Club signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2017 and is home to the legacy of Edgar Mobbs – an England international who earned the Distinguished Service Order for his bravery at the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. The Mobbs Memorial Match, first played in his honour in 1921, remains one of the sport’s longest‑standing fixtures.
Each year, Saints and their supporters raise thousands of pounds for military charities including the Royal British Legion and the Army Benevolent Fund, reinforcing the Club’s continued commitment to those who serve.
“It’s a real privilege to host the Inter Service Championship at DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens for a third year,” said Northampton Saints’ Chief Executive, Julia Chapman.
“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.
“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.”
The Inter Service Championship dates back to 1920, when the Royal Air Force joined the Royal Navy and British Army to create a three‑way competition. The Royal Navy were the first champions, and by 1924 all three fixtures were being played at Twickenham.
More than 100 years later, the Championship has evolved into four competitions – U23, Masters (Over 35s), Senior Women and Senior Men – but the pride attached to representing a Service remains at its heart.
This year’s matches are once more sponsored by Babcock, an international defence company providing specialist support and solutions to enhance defence capability and protect critical national assets. At the 2026 event, also held at DPD Stadium, the honours were even as RAF Senior Women claimed a 36-7 victory before the Navy Senior Men triumphed 47-16.
For the 2027 fixture in Northampton, the RAF will take their turn as the designated home side.
Commodore Sarah Oakley, Chair of the Royal Navy Rugby Union, 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.
“We want people from Northampton to feel part of that story. You do not need to have a military connection to enjoy the day – these are occasions for anyone who loves rugby, atmosphere and a strong sense of community.”
“The return of the Babcock Inter Service Rugby Championship to Northampton is something we are incredibly proud to support,” added Harry Holt, Chief Executive Officer at Babcock.
“These fixtures are about more than what happens on the pitch. They provide an opportunity for serving personnel, veterans, military families and supporters to come together, reconnect and celebrate the Armed Forces community.
“As a long‑standing supporter of Service rugby, Babcock is proud to help bring these occasions to life, and we look forward to welcoming both new and returning supporters.”
1 All ticket prices are subject to a £1.50 booking fee per ticket.
2 Proof of Military ID may be required.