Dates confirmed for postponed Rugby League World Cup
Rugby League World Cup 2021 (RLWC2021) has today confirmed the dates for the tournament that will now take place between Saturday 15 October to Saturday 19 November 2022.
Organisers of the postponed competition have been forced to move it back to 2022 after Australia and New Zealand pulled out.
RLWC2021 says the opening match and the men’s / women’s double header finals will be played, as originally planned, at St James’ Park, Newcastle and Old Trafford, Manchester respectively.
The new dates see the tournament move one week earlier than scheduled in 2021 to maximise attendance and viewership.
Work now continues to release a full revised match schedule by no later than the end of the year.
The earlier start means RLWC2021 will fall between the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2022 FIFA World Cup meaning that existing broadcast partners, will continue to air all 61 games throughout the tournament.
RLWC2021 has reaffirmed to those who wish to retain their tickets for 2022, that there is nothing further to do, as tickets will be automatically transferred to the corresponding fixture next year.
Jon Dutton, RLWC2021 chief executive, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to announce the revised dates today and can now look forward to the biggest and best Rugby League World Cup ever in the autumn of 2022.
“The continuing conversations with all our supportive hosts and venues have been hugely positive. We are confident that we can deliver a similar tournament schedule, which will be communicated as soon as possible.”
“Obviously, we are disappointed the tournament will not be happening as originally planned but we are determined to make next year a celebration of sport, unity, people, place and civic pride.”
Troy Grant, IRL chairman, said: “The Rugby League World Cup is the international pinnacle of our sport, and I am delighted that the new dates have been agreed meaning we can now push forward towards autumn 2022.
“Jon Dutton and the entire RLWC2021 team have worked tirelessly following the postponement being announced and I have total confidence the 2022 incarnation of the tournament will be the best we have ever seen both on and off the field of play.”
