The home of Leicester Tigers since 1892, the Mattioli Woods Welford Road has been the backdrop to the club’s rise from its founding years to becoming English rugby’s most successful team.
The original ground was opened on 10 September 1892 and is still located in the same spot today between Aylestone Road and Welford Road on the southern edge of Leicester’s city centre.
Tigers beat a Leicestershire XV 17-0 on that day with forward Ted Cooke scoring the first ever try at the ground. The two teams met again in 1992 to mark the 100 year anniversary with Tigers winning 40-20.
Back in 2017, supporters and the club came together to celebrate 125 years of Welford Road, of which the north, east and west stand have all undergone major construction in the last twenty-five years.
The stadium boasts a capacity of 25,849 with the North, East and West stands having all undergone major construction in the last twenty-five years.
The rebranded Mattioli Woods Welford Road was unveiled in November 2020 and the Mattioli Woods bridge followed in April 2023, connecting the Stadium to Hotel Brooklyn.
Stadium records
First captain
Jack Sturges (Forward)
First club match
10 September, 1892 | Leicester Tigers v Leicestershire XV (17-0)
First tryscorer
Ted Cooke (Forward)
First conversion
Ted Cooke (Forward)
First drop goal
Arthur McKechnie (Full-back)
First referee
William Wheeler (Leicester Tigers club president)
First cup match
29 March, 1893 | Leicester Tigers v Coventry Excelsior (18-0)
Most stadium appearances
Sid Penny (301)
Most points scored
Dusty Hare (2,692 pts)
