Victory Stadium
Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
Victory Stadium, Portsmouth, England — opened First use dates to the 1870s (cricket, following demolition of Portsmouth defence works); rugby league use began in 2001, 24 rugby league games hosted, home of Royal Navy Rugby League, founded 1997 — three years after Army and RAF sides, following the lifting of a ban on rugby league in the British Armed Forces that had been in place since 1895 until 1994.
Sourcing caveat: The exact origin and date of the 'Victory Stadium' name are not confirmed.
Ground facts
| Opened | First use dates to the 1870s (cricket, following demolition of Portsmouth defence works); rugby league use began in 2001 (Best known as United Services Recreation Ground (also called United Services Sports Ground); the origin of the 'Victory Stadium' name used in this site's own directory is not confirmed, though it is the same physical ground.) |
| Home club | Royal Navy Rugby League, founded 1997 — three years after Army and RAF sides, following the lifting of a ban on rugby league in the British Armed Forces that had been in place since 1895 until 1994 |
| Games hosted (rugby league, on record) | 24 |
| Top recorded crowd | 300 |
| Capacity | 8,000 (for the ground overall, not rugby-league-specific) |
| Years used | 2000–2026 |
| Location | Portsmouth, Hampshire |
Name history
- United Services Recreation Ground — primary/official name in most sources
- Victory Stadium — name used in this site's own venue directory; exact origin not confirmed
Rugby league history
All 24 recorded rugby league matches here (2001-2026) are Challenge Cup ties involving the Royal Navy side, typically drawing modest crowds of a few hundred. A former first-class cricket ground (Hampshire County Cricket Club's home from 1882 to 2000, hosting matches back to an 1882 tour game against the Australians), it remains an active rugby union ground (United Services RFC, Royal Navy Rugby Union) alongside its rugby league use.
Formerly first-class cricket (Hampshire CCC, 1882-2000); currently rugby union (United Services RFC, Royal Navy Rugby Union).
Sources
Data last verified: 11 August 2026.
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