Newcastle set for 2019 European finals
– La Rochelle and Clermont Auvergne to contest Challenge Cup final on May 10
– Saracens and Leinster to face off in Heineken Champions Cup final on May 11
– Rugby Champions Village open on Quayside from Thursday May 9
– Tickets still available to [book online][1] for European Challenge Cup.
The final countdown to the 2019 European Rugby finals in Newcastle is firmly on, following the completion of the semi-finals in the Heineken Champions Cup and European Rugby Challenge Cup over the Easter Weekend.
Those results will see an all French affair between Stade La Rochelle and two-time champions Clermont Auvergne in the Challenge Cup Final on May 10, while Saracens and Leinster will battle it out to determine who lifts the Heineken Champions Cup on Saturday May 11.
With a host of world rugby stars on show, it is shaping up to be a spectacular event, with the host city and the wider region all getting firmly behind the biggest rugby union events to be held at the home of Newcastle United since it staged pool games in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
The anticipation has been building since the end of March, when both trophies embarked on their first ever trophy tour ahead of the finals, coming into contact with over 100,000 people and raising awareness of the biggest weekend in rugby.
Awareness will continue to grow in the coming days with tournament branding starting to appear in the most prominent places across Newcastle Upon Tyne, from when visitors first arrive at both Newcastle Airport and Central Station, to areas including the Quayside, Tyne Bridge and Northumberland Street.
The party gets underway from Thursday May 9 when the Rugby Champions Village opens on the city’s iconic quayside, with rugby games, food, drink, live music and entertainment provided from 3pm.
The Champions Village will be open throughout Friday and Saturday, along with further fan space on Baltic Square, including games hosted by the Newcastle Rugby Foundation, making them the perfect spot for pre-match build up and post-match celebrations.
Closer to the stadium, the city centre will play host to a European Market in the shadow of Grey’s Monument, whilst at Strawberry Place, the atmosphere will be building ahead of kick off with further refreshment opportunities on offer and BT Sport’s pre-match build up.
To ensure everyone can make the most of the city hosting two of the biggest matches in European club rugby, a Newcastle 2019 Finals app will be launching in the coming days, whilst over the course of the weekend, CAST volunteers will be among those guiding visitors around the city.
Tickets remain available for the European Rugby Challenge Cup final. To book your place, [click here][2].
[1]: https://book.nufc.co.uk
[2]: https://book.nufc.co.uk
