Twickenham Stadium is gearing up to host its first NFL American football match in October.
The home of English rugby will welcome the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams for their encounter on Sunday, October 23, kicking off at 2.30pm.
A drop-in session will take place at the stadium next Thursday (October 6) from 6.30pm to inform residents about changes to normal match day arrangements for the game and how they can soak up the atmosphere on the day.
The match will be complemented by a "tailgate" style party, which is traditional in the US, taking place in the West Car Park at the stadium (for ticket holders before the match).
The party will extend onto the stadium's South Piazza, with festivities along Whitton Road open to residents throughout the day from 9.30am.
To accommodate fans' early arrival, the usual road closures in Whitton Road North and Rugby Road will be extended to run from 10am to 8pm, though they may reopen earlier if it is safe to do so.
There will be managed access for residents living within the closure area.
'A first for the borough'
Councillor Peter Buckwell, Richmond Council's cabinet member for highways and streetscene, said: "Hosting an NFL match will be a first for the borough – giving NFL fans the opportunity to experience Twickenham Stadium and the array of new activities that will be held before and after the match.
"The organisers have asked us for permission to close Whitton Road (north of the A316) and Rugby Road earlier at 10am to accommodate the expected earlier arrival of ticket holders.
"Ensuring the safety of all our residents and those visiting the borough is a priority, therefore it is something we feel is necessary.
"The closures are not the same scale as the Rugby World Cup. However, the small number of properties that will be landlocked along the Whitton Road will be issued with vehicle access permits that, subject to crowd numbers, will enable them to access their properties in their cars.
"The match will also have a number of external promotional events that residents will be able to enjoy. I encourage residents to go along to the drop-in session and find out more."
getwestlondonreported last November how the RFU had struck a three-year deal with the NFL to stage up to five American football games at Twickenham during that period.
The drop-in session for residents, hosted by the RFU and NFL, will take place at Twickenham Stadium (Rugby House Door A) on Thursday, October 6, from 6.30pm-8pm.
For more information, visit the Richmond Council website.
