Rugby League World Cup

The 16th edition of the Rugby League World Cup will get underway in England in October. There will be a total of 61 matches played across the men’s, women’s, and wheelchair tournaments with 21 stadiums hosting the action. So, let’s take a look at two of the iconic stadiums that will feature in this year’s rugby league extravaganza.

Old Trafford

Described by its usual residents (Manchester United Football Club) as the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, Old Trafford is the largest venue on the list and will host the final on November 27. Many great soccer players including George Best, Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, and Cristiano Ronaldo have graced the turf over the years. The stadium was last expanded in 2006 and has a capacity of 74.994. However, recent reports suggest that the venue is in need of some repairs so some fans might not be fully protected from the autumn UK rainfall.

If you are a Kiwi’s fan travelling over and you make it to the final, there’s plenty of entertainment including bars, clubs, and restaurants within walking distance. Popular pubs include the Trafford, Cafe Football, and the Bishop Blaize. For alternative entertainment, there’s also a couple of casinos nearby in the city centre where you can play all your favourites games such as roulette and blackjack. You can also hook up to a WiFi hotspot or your mobile network and play on the go at sites such as SkyCity casino – you can find their casino games here. These sites provide an exciting dose of entertainment, that you can take with you and experience outside the doors of a luxury land-based casino.

Culture and sports fans should also check out the National Football Museum, while the nearby Lowry venue is also a must for culture lovers with theatre, comedy shows, cinema, and more. There’s also plenty of shopping for some retail therapy.

Anfield

The winners of  Group A and the runners-up of Group D (potentially England v Papua New Guinea) will meet in the quarter-finals of the men’s at Anfield in Liverpool. The venue will also host the women’s game between England and Canada (back to back with the men’s quarter-final) and the final of the wheelchair event. The 54, 074 capacity arena is home to Liverpool Football Club, fierce rivals of Manchester United. The supporters are renowned for their renditions of the anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and the stadium is one of the most visited in the UK.

There are a handful of iconic pubs around the stadium as well as plenty of fast food facilities. For more entertainment and dining options, the city centre is just three miles away. The city is a hive of art and culture with the Museum of Liverpool, Walker Art Gallery and Tate Modern Art Gallery just a couple of the highlights. The city is well-known for its great choice of bars and restaurants, many located on the Albert Dock waterfront. No trip to Liverpool would be complete without a visit to Matthew Street and the Cavern Club, which hosted the Beatles in their early days and is known as the cradle of British pop music.

If you are lucky enough to attend the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, there are plenty of other great cities and venues to visit including Newcastle’s St James’ Park, Leeds United’s Elland Road and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in London. However, we’d put these two at the top of our list.

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