Guide to the Gardens: RugbyFest 2.0

• RugbyFest2.0 are still available, HERE!
• General admission tickets will still be available on the day, with the ticket office being open from 11:30am
• Please note, RugbyFest 2.0 is NOT included in your 2026/27Lightning Season Ticket.

Below are the opening hours for RugbyFest 2.0.

• 10am: Car Park D opens
• 10:30am: Women’s Touch Tournament team arrivals
• 11:30am: Girls pitch up and play arrivals 
• 11:30am: Ticket Office opens
• 12pm: Village opens
• 1:15pm: Lightning changing rooms tours begin
• 1:15pm: Rock Choir begin
• 1:30pm: Rugby sessions finish
• 1:45pm: Women’s tournament presentations
• 2pm: Oncore Dance performance
• 2:40pm: Lightning player Q&A
• 3pm: Red Roses vs Australia watch party KO
• 5:30pm Bars close
• 6pm: Venue close
• 7pm: Car Park D closes

• Chance to meet members of the 2026/27 Lightning squad!
• Get your photo with the Rugby World Cup trophy.
• U9/U10 girls pitch up and play session coached by Lightning players.
• Watch party for Red Roses vs Australia WXV fixture kicking off at 3pm.
• Exciting performances from Oncore Dance Academy and Rock Choir, as well as a Q&A with members of the Lightning squad and much more.
• Have a go at our passing cage in the fan village or challenge a Lightning player at one of our challenges with prizes to be won!
• Free temporary Loughborough Lightning Tattoo done by @bolddesigns_finelines_tattoo.
• Make sure to join one of our Lightning changing room tours to get an exclusive look behind the scenes.
• Enjoy our brand new selection of food and drink in the festival atmosphere in the fan village.
• Lightning super-fan 11-year-old Eilah will have a stall raising money for her is incredible year-long ultra triathlon challenge, aiming to cover 2,027 miles between September 2026 and September 2027 in support of rugby mental health charity LooseHeadz. 
• We will also have the Women’s Insititute in attendance who decorated Northampton with their amazing yarn bombing during last year’s Rugby World Cup.

• Car Park D is available from 10 am.
• After the Car Parks close at 7pm, there will be no access to any vehicle left behind until Monday morning.
• Parking for Blue Badge holders ONLY is available in VIP Car Park.
• Given that Franklin’s Gardens sits in a residential area of the town, we strongly urge all supporters to use the Club’s Car Parks. Should they choose not to do so, supporters must park with due care and respect for the needs of local residents and businesses.

• The new Lightning fan village will open from 12pm
• There will be new food offerings, including Pizza, Loaded Fries, as well as Churros / Coffee.
• Please note, the bars will close at RugbyFest 2.0 at 5:30pm.
• Please be aware that Franklin’s Gardens is a cashless stadium; all bars and food outlets will only accept card payments.