RFU Academy Festival

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Welcome to 2026’s RFU Academy Festival

We were delighted to be host the festival again, as well as being the starting point for the new Defender PREM Next Gen League season. 

Results of Round 1 of the Defender PREM Next Gen League

We look forward to hosting 2027’s but in the meantime why not check out some of our interviews from the day?

U17 Summer Festival

Hosted by Malvern College on behalf of England RFU

Thursday · 3 x 30 minute matches · 15 minute halves

U17 Summer Festival fixture schedule by pitch and kick-off time
Kick-off time Pitch 1 Pitch 2 Pitch 3 Pitch 4
1130-1200 Bath RugbyBathA v Newcastle FalconsNewcastle HarlequinsHarlequinsB v Northampton SaintsNorthamptonB Leicester TigersLeicester v SaracensSaracens Yorkshire Rugby AcademyYorkshire v DragonsDragons
1210-1240 Northampton SaintsNorthamptonA v ScarletsScarlets Leinster RugbyLeinster v Bristol BearsBristol Exeter ChiefsExeter v HarlequinsHarlequinsA Bath RugbyBathB v Gloucester RugbyGloucesterB
1250-1320 SaracensSaracens v Bath RugbyBathA Sale SharksSale v Gloucester RugbyGloucesterA Leicester TigersLeicester v Yorkshire Rugby AcademyYorkshire Newcastle FalconsNewcastle v DragonsDragons
1330-1400 ScarletsScarlets v Bristol BearsBristol Leinster RugbyLeinster v Exeter ChiefsExeter Bath RugbyBathB v HarlequinsHarlequinsB Northampton SaintsNorthamptonB v Gloucester RugbyGloucesterB
1410-1440 Sale SharksSale v Northampton SaintsNorthamptonA HarlequinsHarlequinsA v Gloucester RugbyGloucesterA DragonsDragons v Bath RugbyBathA Newcastle FalconsNewcastle v Leicester TigersLeicester
1450-1520 Yorkshire Rugby AcademyYorkshire v Bristol BearsBristol Bath RugbyBathB v Northampton SaintsNorthamptonB Gloucester RugbyGloucesterB v HarlequinsHarlequinsB Exeter ChiefsExeter v ScarletsScarlets
1530-1600 Sale SharksSale v SaracensSaracens Gloucester RugbyGloucesterA v Leinster RugbyLeinster HarlequinsHarlequinsA v Northampton SaintsNorthamptonA No fixture
Pitch 1
  • 1130Bath RugbyBathA v Newcastle FalconsNewcastle
  • 1210Northampton SaintsNorthamptonA v ScarletsScarlets
  • 1250SaracensSaracens v Bath RugbyBathA
  • 1330ScarletsScarlets v Bristol BearsBristol
  • 1410Sale SharksSale v Northampton SaintsNorthamptonA
  • 1450Yorkshire Rugby AcademyYorkshire v Bristol BearsBristol
  • 1530Sale SharksSale v SaracensSaracens
Pitch 2
  • 1130HarlequinsHarlequinsB v Northampton SaintsNorthamptonB
  • 1210Leinster RugbyLeinster v Bristol BearsBristol
  • 1250Sale SharksSale v Gloucester RugbyGloucesterA
  • 1330Leinster RugbyLeinster v Exeter ChiefsExeter
  • 1410HarlequinsHarlequinsA v Gloucester RugbyGloucesterA
  • 1450Bath RugbyBathB v Northampton SaintsNorthamptonB
  • 1530Gloucester RugbyGloucesterA v Leinster RugbyLeinster
Pitch 3
  • 1130Leicester TigersLeicester v SaracensSaracens
  • 1210Exeter ChiefsExeter v HarlequinsHarlequinsA
  • 1250Leicester TigersLeicester v Yorkshire Rugby AcademyYorkshire
  • 1330Bath RugbyBathB v HarlequinsHarlequinsB
  • 1410DragonsDragons v Bath RugbyBathA
  • 1450Gloucester RugbyGloucesterB v HarlequinsHarlequinsB
  • 1530HarlequinsHarlequinsA v Northampton SaintsNorthamptonA
Pitch 4
  • 1130Yorkshire Rugby AcademyYorkshire v DragonsDragons
  • 1210Bath RugbyBathB v Gloucester RugbyGloucesterB
  • 1250Newcastle FalconsNewcastle v DragonsDragons
  • 1330Northampton SaintsNorthamptonB v Gloucester RugbyGloucesterB
  • 1410Newcastle FalconsNewcastle v Leicester TigersLeicester
  • 1450Exeter ChiefsExeter v ScarletsScarlets

How to find us

This year due to local roadworks you’ll need to enter the festival from a different road, please see below the map.

Food & Drink

Catering vans on site both days

Serving from gates open, 9:30am · Court Road Playing Fields

A smash burger with melted cheese and pickles in a sesame brioche bun, served by The BBQ Society
Featured

The BBQ Society

“Big bites, bold flavour.”

Award-winning BBQ and smash burgers, cooked fresh on site from their converted horsebox. Expect proper smoke, loaded buns and a queue worth joining.

  • The BBQ Society's black catering van with its serving hatch open at an outdoor event
  • A double stacked cheeseburger with bacon on a sesame brioche bun
  • The BBQ Society catering van serving at an outdoor event

Also on site

  • Award-winning pizzasWood-fired, made to order
  • Ice creamsPerfect for a warm afternoon pitch-side
  • Coffees & teasHot drinks served all day
  • Soft drinksCold drinks and water available
  • Sweet treats & bar snacksSomething to keep you going between fixtures

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does the festival open and close?

Gates at Court Road Playing Fields will open at 9:30am and will closed and locked 45 minutes after the final match has finished.

Do I need a ticket or is entry free?

Entry is free for all spectators.

Can I leave and re-enter the site during the day?

Yes, spectators are welcome to leave and re-enter the site throughout the day.

Can I bring my own food and drink?

Yes, you are welcome to bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks. Alcohol is not permitted on site.

Will refreshments be available to purchase?

Yes, a selection of refreshments and snacks will be available to purchase throughout the day.

What happens if it rains?

The festival will continue in most weather conditions, so we recommend checking the forecast and dressing appropriately for the day.

Are toilet facilities available?

Yes, spectator toilets will be available on site and clearly signposted.

Are there changing facilities available?

No, changing facilities are not available for spectators.

Where can I park?

Parking is available at Court Road Playing Fields. The site operates a one-way traffic system, so please follow all signage when entering and leaving the venue.

Is parking free?

Parking is free; all vehicles are parked at the owner’s risk.

Where should I park?

Please park only in the designated parking areas and within marked parking bays.

Will there be staff to help direct parking?

Yes. Event stewards will be on hand throughout the day to assist with parking. Please follow their instructions at all times to help keep traffic moving safely.