There is nothing quite like a match day at Murrayfield. The walk to the ground, the anthems, the roar as Scotland take the field: it is one of sport’s great occasions, and Edinburgh fills up fast whenever the national side is at home. With a packed autumn of internationals and the Six Nations to come, sorting your Murrayfield accommodation early makes all the difference. This guide covers where to stay, how to reach the stadium, and how to turn a match into a proper weekend in the city.
The Six Nations fixtures to plan around
Scotland’s home matches at Murrayfield Stadium are the dates to build a trip around. The autumn internationals bring some of the biggest names in world rugby to Edinburgh, followed by the Six Nations in the new year. The headline fixtures on the horizon are:
- Scotland v New Zealand, Saturday 7 November 2026 (the All Blacks at Murrayfield, always a sell-out occasion)
- Scotland v Australia, Saturday 15 November 2026 (the Wallabies, a week later)
- Six Nations 2027, with Scotland’s home games at Murrayfield in February and March
Kick-off times and ticket details are confirmed by the Scottish Rugby and Six Nations sites closer to each match, so check those for the specifics. What you can act on now is where you stay, because match-weekend accommodation across Edinburgh books up early, and demand is highest of all when the All Blacks are in town.
Getting to Murrayfield from Leith and the city centre
Murrayfield Stadium sits in the west of the city, and match days bring big crowds and road closures around the ground, which makes driving right up to the stadium impractical. The easy answer is the tram. Edinburgh’s tram line runs from the Leith and waterfront area through the city centre and out to the Murrayfield Stadium stop, so from a base in Western Harbour you can travel more or less door to door without changing, and without going near the match-day traffic.
That is a genuine advantage over staying somewhere that leaves you battling buses or taxis afterwards. You ride the tram to the game, enjoy the day, and ride it back. Do check the tram timetable and any special match-day arrangements before you travel, as services are busy around kick-off and full time. Our transport page has the routes, and our location page shows how the waterfront connects to the rest of the city.
Why a Leith apartment makes the ideal rugby base
Free parking, if you drive up. Getting to Edinburgh often means a long drive, and parking is one of the city’s biggest headaches on a normal day, let alone a match day. Ocean includes complimentary underground parking on site, so you can leave the car securely at the apartment and take the tram to the stadium. No stadium car park scramble, no city-centre parking fees.
Room for the group. Rugby weekends are usually a group affair, whether it is mates on a trip or the family together. Our two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments give everyone space to spread out, and for larger parties our group accommodation options are worth a look. It beats several separate hotel rooms, and there is a proper living room to gather in before and after the game.
A calm base and a kitchen. After a big day at the rugby, coming back to a spacious, quiet apartment rather than a cramped hotel room is a treat. A full kitchen means a hearty breakfast before the match and a late bite afterwards, handy when restaurants are booked solid on match nights.
Great value for a weekend. Our Stay and Save discounts reward a two or three night stay, and we guarantee the best rate when you book direct. See the Stay and Save page for the current tiers.
Our guide to the best areas to stay in Edinburgh explains why the Leith waterfront makes such a comfortable base: close enough to everything, calm enough to actually relax.
Make a weekend of it: nearby attractions
An international is the perfect excuse for a full weekend in Edinburgh. Arrive the day before, settle into the apartment and enjoy a good dinner in Leith, home to some of the best restaurants in Scotland, as our guide to the best restaurants and cafés near Ocean shows, with local attractions around both Leith and central Edinburgh close at hand. Spend the morning of the match exploring the city and nearby attractions, then tram out to Murrayfield for kick-off, with easy access to the city centre from this base. The day after, take a walk along the waterfront to shake off the celebrations before heading home.
Because the autumn tests fall in November and the Six Nations in late winter, they pair naturally with the city’s festive season too. If your rugby weekend is close to the holidays, you might combine it with the Christmas market or a winter break, and our winter and festive content can help you plan.
First time at Murrayfield Stadium: what to know
If this is your first Scotland match at Murrayfield, a little planning makes the day run smoothly. The stadium holds around 67,000, so the area fills up in the couple of hours before kick-off and empties all at once afterwards. Give yourself plenty of time to get there and soak up the build-up rather than arriving in a rush.
A few pointers for the day:
- Arrive early. The atmosphere around the ground before a big international is part of the occasion, and early arrival means less queuing at the turnstiles and the bars.
- Check the bag policy. Like most major stadiums, Murrayfield restricts the size of bags you can bring in, so travel light and check the current rules before you set off.
- Dress for a Scottish November. Much of the day is spent outdoors and it can be cold, so layers and a waterproof are wise, whatever the forecast.
- Plan your return. The tram and the surrounding streets are busy right after full time, so factor that in, and enjoy a relaxed walk or a drink while the initial crush clears.
- Have your tickets ready. Keep digital tickets charged and to hand, and know your gate and stand before you arrive.
Getting the logistics right leaves you free to enjoy the rugby, and a comfortable base afterwards does the rest. There is a lot to be said for coming back from a cold, loud, brilliant day at the rugby to a warm apartment where the whole group can gather, rather than scattering to separate hotel rooms.
A note on booking terms
Match dates are fixed well ahead, but plans can still shift, so it is worth checking availability and understanding the booking terms before you reserve. We offer a choice of cancellation policies and payment options at the time of booking, explained in our cancellation policy FAQ, and direct bookings provide a secure way to review details such as check-in, check out, and which facilities are included, along with a best rate guarantee and essentials like free WiFi before confirming.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to stay for rugby at Murrayfield?
Somewhere with an easy, direct route to the stadium and a calm base away from the match-day crowds, with different property types suiting different budgets and group sizes. From the Leith waterfront, the tram runs to the Murrayfield Stadium stop, and you return to a spacious apartment with free parking.
How do I get to Murrayfield from Leith?
The tram runs from the Leith and waterfront area through the centre to the Murrayfield Stadium stop, covering the distance close to door to door. Check match-day timetables, as services are busy around kick-off.
When are Scotland’s autumn internationals at Murrayfield?
The headline autumn fixtures are Scotland v New Zealand on 7 November 2026 and Scotland v Australia on 15 November 2026. Check Scottish Rugby for kick-off times and tickets.
Is there parking for a Murrayfield match?
Parking at the stadium is very limited on match days. It is easier to leave the car at your accommodation, where we provide complimentary underground parking, and take the tram to the ground.
Can you accommodate a group for a rugby weekend?
Yes. Our apartments have two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and we offer group accommodation options for larger parties. Prices vary by dates and party size, and it is worth checking reviews before choosing a property. Book early, as match weekends fill up fast.
Book your Murrayfield rugby weekend
For the autumn tests, the Six Nations and every match in between, a spacious Leith apartment in a prime location with free parking and a direct tram to the stadium makes match weekends especially easy. Book early, especially for the All Blacks on 7 November. Take a look at our two-bedroom apartments, then request a quote with your dates for a comfortable rugby weekend with added hospitality, leaving time to enjoy the wider weekend at a nearby bar, or call the team on 0131 553 7394.