By Coventry Rugby 
Coventry Rugby is proud to announce the launch of the 2025/26 Academy Match Day Series – a new chapter that represents a levelling up of our playing calendar and underlines our commitment to developing and championing the next generation of Midlands rugby talent. Aligned with this is a new, high-quality matchday experience that gives the opportunity for people to attend The BPA for more rugby, more often!
Built around a competitive and aspirational fixture list designed to challenge, stretch and showcase both our Academy sides and leading local rugby clubs, the Match Day Series forms part of a wider integrated development programme. At its core, the programme prioritises learning, exposure and ambition – with opposition ranging from regional representative sides to some of the UK’s top-tier academies, each offering invaluable playing opportunities to our young athletes.
More than just rugby matches, these fixtures will serve as showcase events – an opportunity for supporters, families, and the local community to see Coventry Rugby’s aspirational Player Development Groups proudly represent both the club, region and the city.
Every home fixture will be an event in its own right – featuring live music, food, guest appearances, pre-match curtain-raisers and community activations, creating a matchday experience that is exciting, inclusive and family-friendly. Whether you’re a parent, partner, club coach or lifelong rugby supporter, there’ll be something for everyone to enjoy.
As part of this, we’re inviting grassroots clubs (U13–U16) to get involved and play as curtain-raisers ahead of Academy games. It’s a brilliant opportunity for young players to experience the atmosphere and be part of a bigger rugby occasion. Clubs interested should contact: mjones@coventryrugby.co.uk
To help sustain and grow this ambitious programme, a small home match day entry fee (£5 per person) will be introduced – with free access for 2025/26 Season Members to all Academy home fixtures. This isn’t about profit: proceeds will go directly towards supporting the Academy and its operational independence, especially important as we build a self-funded model with no central or governing body support.
Academy Season Memberships are now also available and include full access to all academy home fixtures, priority access to future events, and a visible way of supporting the club’s long-term rugby vision.
Matt Jones, Academy Manager, on the fixture announcement said: “Everything we do [as an Academy] is about championing Midlands talent. The fixtures and showcase opportunities are important development tools. Every Academy match will have an event attached to it. We want to create our own vibe and Academy match day product going forward.”
Season Memberships and Academy Memberships are available at: https://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/membership/
*These fixtures are all confirmed matches from August 2025 – February 2026 with Summer fixtures to be announced soon.
Coventry Rugby Academy 2025/26 Fixtures
Home Fixtures
- 16 August 2025 – Ampthill & Cambridge U17s/U18s – 11am
- 19 September 2025 – RAF U23s – 7:30pm
- 15 November 2025 – Ampthill U23s – TBC
- 21 December 2025 – RGC U18 – 2pm
- 10 January 2026 – Ealing Trailfinders U18s – 2pm
- 16 January 2026 – Hartpury College U18s – 7:30pm
- 30 January 2026 – Cambridge U18s – 7:30pm
- 14 February 2026 – Lambs U18s – TBC
- 22 February 2026 – Edinburgh U18 – TBC
Away Fixtures
- 2 August 2025 – Ealing Trailfinders (Away) – KO 14:30 (U17 & U18)
- 8 August 2025 – RGC (Away) – KO 14:00 & 16:00 (U17 & U18)
- 13 September 2025 – Cambridge U23 (Away) – KO 14:30
- 17 December 2025 – Cardiff Blues (Away) – KO 20:00 (U18)
