Wigan’s DW Stadium will host games at the rescheduled Rugby League World Cup 2021 games after the home of Wigan Warriors was originally left off the list.
Organisers have today confirmed the full schedule for the competition, which has been delayed until 2022 after Australia and New Zealand refused to travel this year.
Only five RLWC2021 fixtures have been affected during the rescheduling of 61 matches staged at 21 venues, across 18 host towns and cities. These changes involve the switching of two fixtures between existing venues in Leeds and Hull and the relocation of fixtures from Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium and M&S Bank Arena, both of which cannot now stage games.
In the men’s tournament there will be one venue swap with the match between Australia and Fiji on the opening day (October 15) now taking place at Headingley Stadium, Leeds due to a clash with another event in Hull. In return, the MKM Stadium, Hull will now host New Zealand versus Jamaica on October 22 – a fixture that was due to be played in Leeds.
Wigan’s DW Stadium will provide the stage for the double-header which features the second men’s quarter-final as well as England women v Canada women on November 5. Wigan was controversially left off the list of venues when it was first released in 2019 with many shocked that the tournament would not visit a town considered the game’s spiritual home.
The wheelchair final will be moved from Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena to the Manchester Central convention complex, meaning that city will host all three finals from November 18-19.
Jon Dutton, RLWC2021 chief executive, said: “We have achieved our objective in delivering minimal disruption to the existing 61-match schedule and I want to place on record my thanks to all those who have made it possible.
“Every host town and city who joined us on this journey remains involved and they will set the stage for the very best that the sport has to offer. There are world class, compelling matches, across all three tournaments at some of the most iconic venues across England.
“We are delighted to make tickets available to purchase again and supporters can now look forward to being part of this unique global event. With match dates and locations confirmed, the excitement will only intensify as we look to the horizon and the biggest and best Rugby League World Cup.”
Fans who have already purchased tickets for fixtures that have been changed will be contacted with information on their options from November 24. A dedicated refund window will be available from then until November 30.
General admission tickets and hospitality for all 61 matches went back on-sale from today (Friday) in line with the full schedule reveal.
Image: Reading Tom / Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) / Edited for size
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