The Rugby League World Cup finals will take place in the Theatre of Dreams
The venues for the Rugby League World Cup 2021 have been announced with a double-billing of the men’s and women’s final to be hosted at Old Trafford and the men’s semi-final to take place at the Emirates Stadium.
The Emirates semi-final will be the first time a non-football match will be held at the stadium. Coventry will also stage a group game at the Ricoh Arena, although 80 per cent of games are set to be played in the north of England, with Leeds United’s Elland Road hosting the second men’s semi-final.
The event will also be the biggest ever tournament for wheelchair rugby league, with London’s Copper Box Arena hosting England’s group at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Jon Dutton, Chief Executive of the Rugby League World Cup 2021, said: “This was an incredibly tough process given the large number of interested parties and the impressive nature of their bids. With so many competitive bids, we’re confident that our chosen hosts will help play a role in delivering the greatest, and most inclusive, Rugby League World Cup of all time.”
Mims Davies, Minister for Sport and Civil Society, added: “The UK is renowned for putting on some of the biggest and best sporting events in the world and the Rugby League World Cup 2021 will be no exception.”
A total of 21 venues will be part of the competition.
- Newcastle – St James’ Park (52,405 capacity)
- Sheffield – Bramall Lane (32,702) & English Institute of Sport
- Doncaster – Keepmoat Stadium (15,231)
- Hull – KCOM Stadium (25,586)
- York – York Community Stadium (8,005)
- Huddersfield – John Smith’s Stadium (24,500)
- Leeds – Elland Road (37,890) & Headingley Stadium (21,062)
- Liverpool – Anfield (54,074)
- Manchester – Old Trafford (74,994)
- Preston – First training base to be revealed
- St. Helens – Totally Wicked Stadium (18,00)
- Warrington – Halliwell Jones Stadium (15,200)
- Leigh & Wigan – Leigh Sports Village (12,000)
- Bolton – University of Bolton Stadium (28,723)
- London – Emirates Stadium (60,260) & Copper Box Arena (7,500)
- Middlesbrough – Riverside Stadium (34,742)
- Workington – Workington Community Stadium (under construction)
- Coventry – Ricoh Arena (32,609)
