It’s officially 200 days until the biggest and best Rugby League World Cup arrives in England and makes a huge impact all across the nation, welcoming the world’s best teams and galvanising civic pride in England’s towns and cities.
On Saturday 15 October, the action kicks off at St James’ Park when hosts England take on Samoa in the men’s opening match of the tournament.
There’s little time to catch your breath as just 4 hours later the World Cup moves to Headingly Stadium for the first men’s match to take place in Leeds featuring southern hemisphere giants Australia and Fiji. And that’s just day 1!
In the coming weeks the women’s competition gets underway when England take on Canada in York, and the Copper Box Arena in London welcomes Wheelchair teams from England, Australia, Spain and Ireland in an opening day double-header.
A tournament like no other
At this year’s World Cup all three tournaments – the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair, will be hosted at the same time on one world stage for the first time in Rugby League World Cup history, making this a truly inclusive tournament.
In total, 11 venues will host their opening games before heading to Manchester Central and Old Trafford on 18th and 19th November respectively when all three competition finals will be played within 24 hours!
The teams will compete across some of the most iconic stadiums in the country including St. James’ Park, Emirates Stadium, and Old Trafford and in Northern England’s rugby league revered towns and cities including St Helens, Warrington and Leeds. What an occasion for the sport.
