'We are devastated' - Harlequins forced to postpone 'Big Game'

Harlequins have postponed their annual ‘Big Game’ at Twickenham until next year because of the impact of rail strikes.

Quins will now play their Gallagher Premiership match against Bristol on December 27 at their home ground Twickenham Stoop.

The 14th instalment of their yearly fixture at the 82,000-seater home of English rugby will take place on March 4 against Exeter.

Harlequins state that, although December 27 has not been designated for industrial action, mainline services into Twickenham station will not operate at all on the event day.

Severe restrictions across the train and underground network feeding the local area are also expected.

“We are devastated to have to move Big Game 14 from its annual festive place in the calendar because of this strike action,"  Harlequins chief executive Laurie Dalrymple said. "We know how special this event is to our local community and this was due to be our biggest and best ever event.

"I can assure our supporters that we have worked tirelessly to find any way to stage the event on or even near the 27 December, reducing capacity, laying on buses or developing a park and ride scheme to name a few. Ultimately we must put the safety of our supporters and those working at the event first and it is clear that without the functioning rail network, we cannot safely deliver a large scale event at Twickenham.

"The scale of the closures across multiple key train stations, train lines and tube lines is unprecedented and a much bigger impact that other recent smaller strikes on Twickenham match days. It is out of our control and we have sadly been left with no choice to postpone the fixture”.

“Big Game is the biggest annual club rugby event in the world and we know our supporters will be extremely disappointed by the postponement but we are happy to be able to offer a superb alternative plan for Big Game against great opposition as we take on Exeter Chiefs Men’s and Women’s teams at the home of rugby on 4 March.

"We will bring back all of the usual Big Game activities that our fans love, with live music, free fun fares, the famous player walkover and a day packed with fun and entertainment. We will also move some of our LGBTQ+ Pride activities that were planned for this weekend into the Big Game event.

"We are effectively moving the entire event from 27 December to Saturday 4 March. All purchased tickets will be valid and we hope that our supporters will swap their tickets to the new event – we really need your support as Big Game is a critical part of the Club’s DNA and financial performance”.