A 'security incident' at Northampton Saints' Franklin's Gardens stadium on Sunday, 18 October 2026, is believed to have been a hoax. Police were called to the venue at around 19:00 BST following 'threats made on social media'.
The incident occurred during Northampton's Champions Cup win against Cardiff, which kicked off at 17:30. Players from both teams left the field immediately after the final whistle as a 'precautionary measure'.
A Northamptonshire Police spokeswoman stated that 'enquiries into the incident remain ongoing' and that they are 'working closely with both the Saints and our policing partners on the investigation'. Northampton Saints expressed regret that supporters 'didn't get the opportunity to see the players after the final whistle', adding that the safety of supporters, players, staff, and officials is their 'top priority'.