Glasgow Warriors confirm Hampden switch for 1872 Cup clash

It will be the first time in the club’s professional history that the Warriors will run out at the home of Scottish football

The Warriors will shift the game away from Scotstoun, which has a capacity of around 7,000, to the 52,000-capacity national stadium.

The move to Hampden  will also see the season's first derby move to a new date and kick-off time, with the two teams now set to go head-to-head on Sunday 22 December at 3pm. 

Glasgow Warriors managing director Al Kellock said: “This is a massive moment in the history of not just our club, but rugby within our city and our Glasgow Warriors community.

“To be able to take one of our biggest games of the season to one of Scotland’s national stadia is a reflection of the journey that we have been on as a club, as we continue to grow the game in our city, the west of Scotland and Caledonia regions.

Glasgow Warriors managing director Al Kellock (Image: SNS) “It’s a journey that has seen the Warrior Nation follow us through thick and thin; from the club grounds across Scotland that shape our Warriors, to the high veldt in Pretoria where we became URC champions.

"To be able to take this fixture to Hampden is a reflection of the support upon which this club is built, and we know that our supporters will make Hampden an atmosphere unlike any other.

“We’re excited by the opportunity this fixture presents, not only on the field but off it as well – we also hope to welcome a new audience that may otherwise not attend a Glasgow Warriors match, especially in the run-up to the festive holidays.

Glasgow Warriors will host Edinburgh at Hampden on December 21 (Image: SNS)

“I’d like to thank everyone involved in making this fixture happen, from our friends at the Scottish FA, Scottish Rugby, United Rugby Championship and Premier Sports, to the efforts of everyone involved at Scotstoun.

“Our ask to the Warrior Nation is to now make this as big an occasion as we possibly can – I firmly believe that we have earned the opportunity through our performances over the last season, to show our club, our values and our players to a new audience on one of Scotland’s biggest stages.

"We know that Glasgow is not just a football city – let’s show that to the world.”

Club captain Kyle Steyn added: “It’s such an exciting opportunity – derby matches are already the type of fixture that you want to be involved in as a player, so to have the chance to run out at an iconic Glasgow venue is extremely special.

Glasgow captain Kyle Steyn and head coach Franco Smith with the 1872 Cup (Image: SNS) “Having our own ‘big game’ concept is an outstanding reflection of the support that this club has year in, year out – they get behind us wherever we are, and they give us that extra edge time and again.

“We know that 1872 Cup atmospheres are always electric, and I can’t wait to see and hear the buzz that the Warrior Nation will create at Hampden.”

Glasgow Warriors season ticket holders and Warrior Nation members will receive an email in the coming days outlining the ticket allocation process, the club said, while tickets will go on general sale on October 25 at 10am.