Inside The Blindside at Gloucester Rugby

There are few places in English rugby that stir the senses quite like Kingsholm. The walk through Gloucester’s streets, the sea of Cherry & White scarves, the unmistakable chorus of the Shed. It is a matchday steeped in ritual. Yet, as the game evolves, so too does the way supporters choose to experience it. For those looking for something a little more polished than the traditional pint on the terrace, The Blindside has arrived to redefine hospitality at Kingsholm.

Tucked away at the very top of the Malvern Tyres Stand, The Blindside is the newest members-only lounge at Gloucester Rugby. It is exclusive without being intimidating, smart without being stuffy, and above all, it feels like a place designed for people who love rugby but also enjoy the finer things in life.

Food plays a central role in setting the tone. Instead of stiff formal dining, The Blindside offers a relaxed spread of tapas-style dishes, created by the club’s in-house chefs using ingredients sourced locally within 40 miles of the stadium. It is food that reflects the Cotswolds’ larder; fresh, seasonal and brimming with flavour, but served in a way that suits the rhythm of matchday. Members can pick at plates before heading out to their seats and return after full-time to graze again while reliving the game’s highlights. It’s casual, sociable and celebratory, a dining style that mirrors the spirit of rugby itself.

Then there is the bar. At the heart of the lounge lies one of its most talked-about features: a self-pour station. The idea is simple but brilliant. Rather than queueing, members can pour their own pint of beer, cider or glass of wine, giving the experience a sense of fun and freedom. It’s hard not to enjoy the novelty of pulling your own pint as you debate the referee’s decisions or toast a last-minute try. For those who prefer something more traditional, the private bar is well stocked, with everything from local ales to Champagne. It is, in short, a bar that keeps pace with the occasion.

The Blindside itself is a space designed to be lived in. Contemporary interiors and comfortable seating create a relaxed, stylish environment that feels more like a Cotswolds private club than a stadium lounge. Pre-match, it is a calm retreat away from the bustle of the terraces; post-match, it transforms into a hub of energy and celebration. Hosted by legendary former Cherry & White James Forrester, the lounge carries with it an unmistakable link to the club’s proud heritage, ensuring members feel connected not just to the game unfolding on the pitch, but to the wider story of Gloucester Rugby.

What makes membership truly appealing is that it extends far beyond the lounge doors. Premium seating in the Malvern Tyres Stand offers superb views of the action, while additional benefits such as access to the Gloucester Rugby Business Club, priority entry into the England Rugby ticket ballot and the option to hire the lounge privately at discounted rates add real depth. It’s not simply a matchday treat but an ongoing connection to both the club and its community.

Perhaps the greatest triumph of The Blindside is the way it balances tradition with innovation. Rugby has always been about camaraderie, about standing shoulder to shoulder with friends and strangers alike, united by the game. That essence is very much alive here. Yet, by adding stylish interiors, inventive dining and playful touches like the self-pour bar, The Blindside offers something new: a hospitality experience that feels fresh, modern and entirely at home in the Cotswolds.

For those who live and breathe the Cherry & White, The Blindside is more than just a lounge. It’s a place to savour the build-up, to relax in comfort, and to celebrate victories in style. It is rugby reimagined for today and a reminder that the best moments on matchday happen not just on the pitch, but in the spaces where supporters come together to share them.

Take a look - www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/hospitality/blindside-membership

​In partnership with Gloucester Rugby
www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk