Lightning head to Bedford for Next Gen Cup tie against Saracens
Loughborough Lightning will play Saracens Women under the Friday night lights at Goldington Road, Bedford on Friday 2 October, organisers confirmed on 14 August. The match is part of the JAECOO PWR Next Gen Cup, a cup competition running through September to November that serves as a precursor to the league season.
The fixture will be staged by Bedford Blues in collaboration with Northampton Saints and Loughborough University. Nathan Smith’s Lightning side will face the team that secured last season’s league and cup double, a high-profile early test before the domestic campaign begins.
| Fixture | Date | Venue | Ticket starting price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loughborough Lightning v Saracens Women | Friday 2 October | Goldington Road, Bedford | £10 (adults), £3 (Under 18s) |
Organisers have set ticket prices from £10 for adults and £3 for under-18s. An online advance purchase discount of £4 off adult tickets is being offered, and Bedford Blues season-ticket holders will be given a two-week window to reserve their usual seats with an additional discount.
Partnerships aim to widen reach of women’s rugby
Bedford Blues’ chief executive, Gareth Alred, said the club was eager to use the fixture to grow the game locally. He highlighted the club’s active junior girls’ section and the opportunity to bring top-flight women’s rugby to Bedford.
“We are always looking for opportunities to grow and deliver more rugby to our community. With a thriving women’s team and strong Junior Girls section, as well as continuing to champion the women’s game, we were actively looking to host such a fixture. Thanks to the relationship with Northampton Saints, we have been given the opportunity to host Loughborough Lightning, and we can’t wait!”
Yvette Heywood, Head of Women’s Rugby Partnership at Northampton Saints, described the arrangement as an extension of an existing relationship with Bedford. She pointed to Bedford’s established rugby heritage and the presence of a women’s side competing at Championship Two level as reasons the town was a suitable host.
“The opportunity to bring Lightning to Bedford, a town with such a proud rugby heritage and passionate rugby community, is hugely exciting for us. Over the past six years, Saints and Bedford have built a successful and mutually beneficial partnership, and we’re delighted to now extend that relationship to include Lightning.”
For Loughborough supporters, the match provides an early chance to assess the squad under Nathan Smith against very strong opposition. Saracens arrive having completed a league and cup double last season, making them one of the leading sides in the women’s game. For players and coaches, the fixture will be an important indicator of form and squad depth ahead of the competitive season.
- Fixture: Loughborough Lightning v Saracens Women — Friday 2 October at Goldington Road, Bedford
- Tickets: from £10 adults, £3 under-18s; £4 discount on advance online adult purchases
- Partners: Bedford Blues, Northampton Saints, Loughborough University
Supporters wishing to attend are advised to purchase tickets in advance to benefit from the online discount and to check Bedford Blues’ official channels for matchday information and any additional activations that will be announced in the build-up. The match is part of a wider effort from clubs in the region to increase exposure for the women’s game and to offer competitive opportunities ahead of the league season.
Local fans who cannot travel to Bedford may also wish to follow club channels for team news, line-ups and post-match coverage once the fixture takes place.
