/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/03/21/image-0dd0862d-6947-423c-bab3-478cdb9786ed-85-2560-1440.jpeg "Why are Saracens playing Harlequins at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend? When does The Showdown start? - TNT Sports")
Published 21/03/2025 at 17:05 GMT
Two of the Gallagher Premiership's most successful clubs will go toe-to-toe this weekend as Saracens and Harlequins collide at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Both sides are still in the hunt for a spot in the top four after 11 matches, but some viewers may be wondering why this famous fixture is being contested at the home of Tottenham Hotspur. Here is the reason why.
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We are into the second half of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby season, and there is still everything to play for ahead of one of the most highly-anticipated matches of the campaign.
Saracens and Harlequins are in the hunt for one of the coveted top four spots, and the two London clubs will collide at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Saturday.
Sarries are currently fifth in the table, just one point behind Leicester Tigers in fourth.
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Quins are in sixth after 11 matches, two points behind Mark McCall's side and three off a place in this season's Gallagher Premiership semi-final spots.
The match looks set to be a thrilling affair, but some fans may be wondering, why are these two iconic clubs going toe-to-toe at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend?
Why are Saracens playing Harlequins at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium?
As a marquee fixture in the Gallagher Premiership, Saracens against Harlequins is one that attracts a crowd far surpassing the capacities of their home stadiums.
Indeed, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium can house over 62,000 fans - more than quadruple either The Stoop or StoneX Stadium.
The fixture has been known as 'The Showdown' since 2023, and had previously been held at iconic grounds like Wembley Stadium and London Stadium under the name 'Derby Day'.
After Sarries against Quins was dubbed The Showdown, the London derby started to be contested at the home of Tottenham Hotspur instead.
It was announced that the fixture would continue to be held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium until at least 2028 last September.
The Showdown has taken place on the same weekend following the end of the Six Nations every year since its inception.
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Who won previous editions of The Showdown?
Saracens beat Bears 27-23 in the first edition of The Showdown in 2022, before running out 36-24 winners against Quins the following year.
It was a far more one-sided affair last term, as Sarries stormed to a 52-7 triumph over their London rivals in front of 61,214 fans.
When is The Showdown?
The Showdown will kick off at 15:05 GMT on Saturday, March 22.
The match will be shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+, with coverage set to get underway at 14:30.
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