Kingston Park prepares for Rugby League World Cup
Three group games will be held at the home of Newcastle Falcons and Thunder.
**Sun Oct 24:** Scotland v Italy (2.30pm).
**Sat Oct 30:** Fiji v Italy (2.30pm).
**Sat Nov 6:** Fiji v Scotland (5pm).
In addition, the tournament’s opening game between England and Samoa will be played at Newcastle’s St James’ Park on Saturday October 23 (2.30pm), with other tournament venues including Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium.
[**View the Rugby League World Cup fixture list.**][1]
[**Buy tickets.**][2]
Thousands of fans will descend on Newcastle, significantly boosting the city’s Covid-hit economy.
Mick Hogan, executive director of Newcastle Falcons and chairman of Newcastle Thunder, is head of North East sales for the Rugby League World Cup, and can sense the excitement building around the tournament despite all the organisational challenges thrown at it.
He said: “Up until the last 12 months, no tournament ever has had to prepare under these circumstances. There is no manual you can look at, and it is uncharted waters.
“But the team at the Rugby League World Cup has coped incredibly well under very trying circumstances.
“What has been great to see is that the public has responded, and ticket sales across the tournament are incredibly strong. Some of the strongest are here in the North East.
“The countdown is well and truly on, and if we can get as many fans into Newcastle’s two incredible venues then this tournament will definitely be a milestone in the city’s history.”
Hogan added: “To be one of the very first cities to welcome back fans on a global scale gives us great pride.
“This tournament really has all the makings to be one of the biggest and best ever, and we want those stadiums filled with passionate Geordies and the city buzzing with a fantastic atmosphere to show them what Newcastle has to offer.”
*PHOTO CAPTION: Newcastle City Council leader Nick Forbes (left) with Newcastle Falcons executive director Mick Hogan and the Rugby League World Cup trophy.*
[1]: https://www.rlwc2021.com/schedule
[2]: https://www.rlwc2021.com/tickets
