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Mattioli Woods Welford Road
Mattioli Woods Welford Road

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.

Mattioli Woods Welford Road

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)

Mattioli Woods Welford Road

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)

Mattioli Woods Welford Road

Most tries scored

Percy Lawrie (148)

Most drop goals

Les Cusworth (37)