A Rugby Weekend in Edinburgh for the Six Nations Championship

🎓 Tickets for the 2027 Six Nations Tournament

The essentials in seven points

Murrayfield is not in Edinburgh city centre. The stadium is around 3 km to the west: approximately 30 minutes on foot from the western end of Princes Street, or 45 minutes from the Old Town.
Scotland’s three home matches in 2027 have very different kick-off times: 2.10pm, 4.40pm and 8.10pm on a Friday, all UK local time.
Edinburgh Trams has a dedicated Murrayfield Stadium stop, connecting the airport, city centre and ground.
Avoid driving to the stadium: no public parking on site, with matchday road closures around the venue.
Bags larger than A4 are generally refused, with no bag-storage facilities; most payments inside are cashless.
Official international match tickets are delivered through the Scottish Rugby Ticketing app, generally by two weeks before the match, rather than as emailed PDFs.
Respect the kicker: Murrayfield’s spectators traditionally remain silent during kicks at goal, whichever team is taking them.

A Six Nations weekend in Edinburgh needs a little more planning than an ordinary city break. Murrayfield is west of the city centre, transport gets busy on matchdays and the timing of your fixture can change the whole trip. This guide covers travel, accommodation, stadium entry and the matchday atmosphere. For the seating layout and ticket categories, see our Murrayfield Stadium ticket guide.

Information checked: 22 September 2026. Stadium access and matchday guidance are based on Scottish Rugby information. Gate-opening times, ticket delivery arrangements and road closures can change for individual fixtures: always check your ticket and the latest official matchday instructions.

Where is Murrayfield and what does that mean for your trip?
Getting to Edinburgh from around the UK
Where to stay
Getting to Murrayfield on matchday
What to know before entering the ground
The Murrayfield matchday experience
After the final whistle and the following day
Frequently asked questions

Murrayfield is west of the city centre: why that matters

Scottish Gas Murrayfield is roughly 3 km west of central Edinburgh, at postcode EH12 5PJ. Unlike Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, it is not right in the centre: you need to factor in the journey before and after the match.

Scottish Rugby’s guidance gives different walking times depending on where you set off. Both are useful:

Starting point	Approximate walk
Western end of Princes Street	30 minutes
Old Town / Royal Mile	45 minutes via the Rugby Walk
Haymarket railway station	15–20 minutes

Where you stay makes a difference. A Haymarket hotel leaves you within walking distance; accommodation on the Royal Mile gives you a longer walk or a tram journey. Neither is necessarily better, but be clear about what you want from the weekend.

2027 fixtures: three very different kick-off times

All times below are local UK times (GMT). Scotland’s Murrayfield fixtures in the 2027 Six Nations are spread across early afternoon, late afternoon and Friday night.

Fixture	Date	Kick-off	What it means for your weekend
Scotland v Italy	Saturday 6 February 2027	2.10pm	Get to the ground by late morning if you want to enjoy the build-up.
Scotland v Wales	Saturday 13 February 2027	4.40pm	Plenty of pre-match time, followed by an evening in town.
Scotland v Ireland	Friday 5 March 2027	8.10pm	Plan a late journey back from the stadium and an overnight stay.

⚠️ Two kick-off times to plan around
Scotland v Italy at 2.10pm: an arrival in Edinburgh on Saturday morning can work for visitors travelling within Scotland or from nearby UK cities, but leaves little margin for disruption. A Friday night stay is the safer option for longer journeys.
Scotland v Ireland at 8.10pm on Friday: expect to leave the ground around 10pm or later, before the journey back to your hotel. Check final tram and train services rather than assuming you can return home that night.

Getting to Edinburgh from around the UK

For visitors from England and Wales, the train is often a practical alternative to flying. Edinburgh Waverley has intercity services connecting it with London, Newcastle, York and other major destinations, while Haymarket is particularly useful if you are staying near the stadium. Services and timings depend on your departure point and date.

From London: direct East Coast Main Line trains serve Edinburgh Waverley. Check engineering works before committing to a matchday arrival.
From northern England: Newcastle and other cities on the East Coast route are well placed for rail travel; travelling back after a Friday evening kick-off still requires care.
From Wales, the Midlands or further afield: compare rail connections with flights into Edinburgh Airport, especially for a two-night stay.
Flying: Edinburgh Airport has a direct tram connection to Murrayfield Stadium and the city centre. That makes it useful if you want to avoid a separate taxi or bus transfer.
Book early: both accommodation and transport can become significantly more expensive on Six Nations weekends.

Where to stay in Edinburgh for the Six Nations

The choice is between being close to Murrayfield and being close to Edinburgh’s main sights and nightlife. Consider the following areas:

Area	Journey to Murrayfield	Best for	Bear in mind
Haymarket / West End	About 15–20 minutes’ walk	Getting to the match on foot	Popular with rugby supporters; book early.
New Town	Direct tram or roughly 30-minute walk from its western side	Restaurants, sightseeing and transport	Easy access to Princes Street tram stops.
Old Town / Royal Mile	About 45 minutes’ walk or tram plus walking	A full Edinburgh city break	Lively and historic, but further from the ground.
Leith	Tram or other public transport	Longer stays and alternative accommodation	Allow extra journey time across the city.

💡 Look for a tram stop, not just a short distance on the map. Edinburgh’s tram line links the airport, central Edinburgh and Murrayfield. Staying near that route simplifies your arrival, matchday and departure.

Getting to Murrayfield on matchday

Transport	What to know	Recommendation
Tram	Dedicated Murrayfield Stadium stop, with additional matchday demand and services.	✅ Most direct
Train	Haymarket is the nearest mainline station, about 15–20 minutes away on foot.	✅ Convenient
Bus	Lothian Buses routes serve surrounding roads; some services may be diverted on matchdays.	✅ Useful, check updates
Walking	The Rugby Walk from central Edinburgh takes around 45 minutes.	✅ Good when weather allows
Car	No public parking at the stadium; road closures around major events. Park-and-ride options are available further out.	❌ Avoid

Buy your tram ticket before boarding, from a ticket machine or the official app, and check the latest service information. Ticket-machine queues can be substantial just before a match.

⚠️ Don’t count on a taxi dropping you at the gates. Matchday road closures and heavy traffic mean taxis and private-hire vehicles may have to stop some distance away. You may still end up walking the final stretch.

What to know before entering Murrayfield

Your ticket is in an app, not an emailed PDF

Scottish Rugby uses the Scottish Rugby Ticketing app for international tickets. Tickets are normally made available ahead of the match, with the original guidance stating no later than two weeks beforehand. Do not assume a PDF or screenshot sent by a stranger will be valid for entry. For other ways of buying and checking tickets, see our Six Nations ticketing information.

Bags, payments and opening times

Bag policy: bags larger than A4 (approximately 21 × 30 cm) are generally not permitted, with exceptions for essential medical or childcare items subject to checks. There is no bag-storage facility at the stadium.
Payments: Murrayfield is largely cashless; a small number of outlets may still accept cash. Bring a payment card or suitable mobile wallet.
Gates: official guidance has referred to opening two or three hours before kick-off, depending on the fixture. Use the specific time on your match ticket.

The Murrayfield matchday experience

Respect the kicker

Silence during kicks at goal is an important Murrayfield tradition, including when the opposition is kicking. Join in the noise for the rest of the match, but give the kicker the quiet they expect.

Be in your seat for the anthems

Scottish Rugby recommends being seated at least 20 minutes before kick-off. The anthems and pre-match build-up are part of the occasion, particularly when Scotland run out in front of a full home crowd.

West Fan Village and Guinness Corner

The West Fan Village, behind the West Stand, has food, drink and pre-match entertainment; the original stadium information cited more than 45 refreshment outlets. Guinness Corner, near the North Stand, is another gathering point. Arriving early gives you time to explore instead of joining the rush at the turnstiles.

💡 Ask the Blue Crew. Scottish Rugby’s volunteers in blue jackets can help with directions and matchday questions around the stadium.

Where to have a pint before the match

The Haymarket: opposite Haymarket station and well placed for the walk to Murrayfield. Expect a crowd in the two hours before kick-off.
Roseburn Bar: one of the pubs closest to the ground and a familiar rugby meeting place. Arrive two or three hours early for major fixtures.
Athletic Arms (“Diggers”): a traditional Edinburgh pub, roughly a 15-minute walk from Murrayfield, known for its rugby atmosphere.
Belushi’s Edinburgh: a city-centre option for watching the rugby on screens if you don’t have a stadium ticket. Booking ahead is sensible for big games.

After the final whistle and the following day

Scottish Rugby has advised allowing 30–45 minutes after full time for the immediate crowds to clear. The tram stop and Haymarket approaches can be especially busy as thousands leave the ground together. Check match-specific transport advice before deciding whether to walk or wait.

For Scotland v Ireland on Friday 5 March 2027, kicking off at 8.10pm, plan your evening in advance. A nearby pub around Roseburn or Haymarket may be a more comfortable place to let the crowds disperse than standing outdoors late on a chilly March night. If using a tram or train, check the last service.

The next day is ideal for exploring Edinburgh. Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and Arthur’s Seat can feature in a city-break itinerary, though you will need to allow longer for a full visit or the climb. Two nights generally offer a more relaxed rugby weekend, particularly for visitors travelling from elsewhere in the UK.

Frequently asked questions

What time are Scotland’s Six Nations home matches in 2027?

Scotland play Italy on Saturday 6 February at 2.10pm, Wales on Saturday 13 February at 4.40pm, and Ireland on Friday 5 March at 8.10pm. All times are local UK time. The Friday evening fixture makes an overnight stay especially useful for supporters travelling from outside Edinburgh.

Can you walk to Murrayfield from Edinburgh city centre?

Yes. Allow around 30 minutes from the western end of Princes Street or 45 minutes from the Old Town and Royal Mile via the Rugby Walk. Haymarket station is around 15–20 minutes away on foot.

Can you drive to Murrayfield on matchday?

Driving is not recommended. There is no public matchday parking at the stadium, and surrounding roads are subject to closures. A park-and-ride facility followed by tram or bus is usually more practical.

Where should you stay for a rugby weekend in Edinburgh?

Haymarket and the West End are especially convenient for walking to Murrayfield. New Town offers a balance of transport links, restaurants and city-centre attractions. Old Town suits sightseeing, while accommodation near a tram stop can make matchday travel easier from other areas.

What size bag can you take into Murrayfield?

As a general rule, bags must be no larger than A4, around 21 × 30 cm. Essential medical and childcare items may be considered following security checks. There is no left-luggage facility at the stadium.

Is Murrayfield cashless?

Most stadium transactions are cashless, although some retail outlets may accept cash. Bring a bank card or mobile payment method rather than relying on cash.

How do you receive Scotland rugby tickets for Murrayfield?

Official tickets for Scotland internationals are distributed through the Scottish Rugby Ticketing app, usually before the final two weeks leading up to the match. Be wary of unsolicited emailed PDFs or screenshots sold as official mobile tickets.

How early should you arrive at Murrayfield?

Gate-opening times can vary, commonly around two to three hours before kick-off. Use the instructions for your specific match. Arriving early also gives you time for the West Fan Village and the anthems; Scottish Rugby recommends being seated at least 20 minutes before kick-off.

Final advice

Three decisions make an Edinburgh rugby weekend much easier: stay near a tram stop or Haymarket, leave the car behind, and consider two nights rather than squeezing everything into one. The Friday-night Scotland v Ireland fixture makes this especially worthwhile.

Once that’s sorted, enjoy the city and the atmosphere: arrive early, travel light to meet the A4 bag rule, and remember Murrayfield’s tradition of silence for the kicker.

Sources

Original information checked on 22 September 2026. Stadium arrangements may change from one tournament to the next: always follow your match ticket and Scottish Rugby’s latest guidance.