Loughborough Lightning will play ALL their home 2023/24 Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby games at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
Fixtures for this season were released today with nine top-flight women’s matches taking place at the stadium in Northampton – starting with the visit of Midlands rivals Worcester Warriors on the weekend of 25-26 November.
Season tickets for a milestone season for Lightning will go on sale from 11am tomorrow (Thursday 10 August) from eticketing.co.uk/northamptonsaints.
After hosting five Lightning games at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens in the 2022/23 season, the move to ALL home fixtures at the venue marks another step forward for the partnership with Northampton Saints which was formed two years ago.
Nathan Smith, who was appointed as Lightning’s new head coach in July, revealed his excitement at the prospect of having a fixed home venue for league games.
“It’s absolutely massive for us that all of our home league games will be at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens,” Smith said. “It’s such a special place to play rugby and it means a lot to me and the team to be able to call the place home for our Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby campaign.
“There’s some really eye-catching fixtures throughout the season with another local derby as Leicester Tigers have been added into the mix too.
“We’re excited to get out there on the pitch, kick on from last season and to be cheered on by our supporters at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.”
Nathan Smith, Loughborough Lightning Head Coach
Lightning kick off the new season against their final opponents from last term, Saracens, when they travel to Allianz Park on 18-19 November.
The first eagerly-anticipated first away derby with Leicester Tigers is on 2-3 December in Round 3, with the return fixture at the Gardens on 10-11 February in Round 11.
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens will host two more league games before Christmas as Bristol Bears (9-10 December) and last season’s beaten finalists Exeter Chiefs (23-24 December) are the visitors in Rounds 4 and 6 respectively.
Lightning end their regular league season in front of a home crowd on 1-2 June against Saracens.
The Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby play-off semi-finals are set for 8-9 June with the final taking place a fortnight later on 22 June.
To view all of Loughborough Lightning’s fixtures for the 2023/24 season, please CLICK HERE. Specific dates and kick-off times for all Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby fixtures will follow at a later date.
An all-new Loughborough Lightning Season Ticket, which covers all nine league matches set to be held at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, will be available to purchase from 11am tomorrow from eticketing.co.uk/northamptonsaints.
