31 Jan 2019 2021 Rugby League World Cup venues revealed – Old Trafford to host finals day BY Tom Walker |
Old Trafford in Manchester will host the "finals day" of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC2021). The home of Manchester United is one of a number of major football stadiums to be used during the tournament, which is being held across England in two years' time. The Emirates Stadium will host a men’s semi-final, making rugby league the only sport other than football to have been played at the home of Arsenal FC. The men’s opening ceremony will take place in Newcastle at St. James’ Park, following four successful seasons as the host of rugby league's Magic Weekend. Other football stadiums to host games include the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, Bramall Lane in Sheffield and Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough. Set to be the most inclusive rugby league event ever, RLWC2021 will see the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments played concurrently for the first time. The women’s and men’s finals will take place as a double-header at Old Trafford, while Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena will host the wheelchair final. Tournament organisers have met the Government target of hosting at least 80 per cent of the tournament in the "Northern Powerhouse", with games also taking place in Doncaster, Huddersfield, Hull, Leeds and York. "With all three tournaments running concurrently, RLWC2021 will give the chance for people across the country to engage in a variety of ways and really look forward to October and November 2021," said Jon Dutton, CEO of RLWC2021. "This was an incredibly tough process given the large number of interested parties and the impressive nature of their bids. "Each and every host now has the opportunity to galvanise and inspire their respective communities ahead of the competing nations arriving in England." The full list of game venues/hosts: NORTH-WEST The University of Bolton Stadium Anfield Stadium, Liverpool M&S Bank Arena Liverpool The Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens Old Trafford, Manchester The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington Leigh Sports Village, Wigan WEST MIDLANDS The Ricoh Arena, Coventry YORKSHIRE Club Doncaster The John Smiths Stadium, Kirklees The KCOM Stadium, Hull Elland Road, Leeds Emerald Headingley Stadium, Leeds Bramall Lane, Sheffield The EIS Sheffield The Community Stadium, York NORTH-EAST The Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough St James’ Park, Newcastle CUMBRIA The Workington Community Stadium, Allerdale LONDON The Emirates Stadium Close Window |