Rugby League World Cup venues

The following is a list of venues that have hosted matches as part of the Rugby League World Cup.[1]

The first Rugby league World Cup was staged in France in 1954 with the last having been staged in England in 2022. The next World Cup is set to be held in 2026

As of 2022, there have been 16 Rugby League World Cups held since the inaugural event in 1954.

Venues by tournament edit

All countries listed in alphabetical order while all venues listed in order of appearance and with their non-corporate name (unless unavoidable). Venue capacity is as it currently stands and in some cases may vary from the capacity of the venue at the time of use. For example, the Sydney Cricket Ground's current spectator capacity is 48,000 but stood at 70,000 when used as a World Cup venue from 1957 to 1977.

Stadiums in bold text show Rugby League World Cup final hosts.
Stadiums in italic text show ground has been demolished as of 2017.

France 1954 edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
Paris Parc des Princes 47,929 30,368
Bordeaux Stade Chaban Delmas 34,694 14,000
Lyon Stade de Gerland 35,000 10,250
Marseille Stade Vélodrome 67,394 20,748
Nantes Stade Marcel Saupin 1,880 13,000
Toulouse Stadium Municipal 33,150 37,471

Australia 1957 edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
Brisbane Brisbane Cricket Ground 42,000 29,636
Sydney Sydney Cricket Ground 48,601 62,256

United Kingdom 1960 edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
Bradford Odsal Stadium 22,739 33,023
Leeds Headingley 19,700 22,209
Swinton Station Road 35,000 22,923
Wigan Central Park 18,000 26,263

Australia and New Zealand 1968 edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
  Sydney Sydney Cricket Ground 48,601 62,256
  Brisbane Lang Park 52,500 50,599
  Auckland Carlaw Park 17,000 18,000

United Kingdom 1970 edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
Leeds Headingley 19,700 22,209
Bradford Odsal Stadium 22,739 33,023
Castleford Wheldon Road 11,775 8,958
Hull The Boulevard 10,500 5,250
Swinton Station Road 35,000 22,923
Wigan Central Park 18,000 26,263

France 1972 edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
Lyon Stade de Gerland 35,000 10,250
Grenoble Stade Lesdiguières 12,000 5,321
Marseille Stade Vélodrome 67,394 20,748
Paris Parc des Princes 47,929 30,368
Pau Stade du Hameau 18,324 7,500
Perpignan Stade Gilbert Brutus 13,000 11,576
Toulouse Stadium Municipal 33,150 37,471

Australia, France, New Zealand, and United Kingdom 1975 edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
  Leeds Headingley 19,700 22,209
  Brisbane Lang Park 52,500 50,599
  Sydney Sydney Cricket Ground 48,601 62,256
  Bradford Odsal Stadium 22,739 33,023
  Salford The Willows 11,363 2,247
  Warrington Wilderspool Stadium 9,200 8,083
  Wigan Central Park 18,000 26,263
  Bordeaux Stade Chaban Delmas 34,694 14,000
  Marseille Stade Vélodrome 67,394 20,748
  Perpignan Stade Gilbert Brutus 13,000 11,576
  Toulouse Stadium Municipal 33,150 37,471
  Auckland Carlaw Park 17,000 18,000
  Christchurch Addington Showgrounds 18,000 12,130
  Swansea St. Helen's Rugby and Cricket Ground 4,500 11,112

Australia and New Zealand 1977 edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
  Sydney Sydney Cricket Ground 48,601 62,256
  Brisbane Lang Park 52,500 50,599
  Auckland Carlaw Park 17,000 18,000
  Christchurch Addington Showgrounds 18,000 12,130

International 1985–1988 edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
  Auckland Eden Park 50,000 47,363
  Brisbane Lang Park 52,500 50,599
  Sydney Sydney Football Stadium 45,500 34,157
  Wagga Wagga Eric Weissel Oval 10,000 11,685
  Leeds Headingley 21,062 22,209
  Wigan Central Park 18,000 26,263
  Avignon Parc des Sports 17,518 17,518
  Carcassonne Stade Albert Domec 10,000 10,288
  Perpignan Stade Gilbert Brutus 13,000 11,576
  Auckland Carlaw Park 17,000 18,000
  Christchurch Addington Showgrounds 18,000 12,130
  Port Moresby National Football Stadium 14,800 17,000

International 1989–1992 edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
  London Old Wembley Stadium 82,000 73,631
  Brisbane Lang Park 52,500 50,599
  Parkes Pioneer Oval 12,000 12,384
  Townsville Townsville Sports Reserve 6,400 12,470
  Hull The Boulevard 10,500 5,250
  Leeds Elland Road 37,890 32,500
  Wigan Central Park 18,000 26,263
  Carcassonne Stade Albert Domec 10,000 10,288
  Perpignan Stade Gilbert Brutus 13,000 11,576
  Auckland Mount Smart Stadium 30,000 30,003
  Christchurch Addington Showgrounds 18,000 12,130
  Goroka Danny Leahy Oval 13,000 11,485
  Port Moresby National Football Stadium 14,800 17,000

England 1995 edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
  London Old Wembley Stadium 82,000 73,631
  Gateshead Gateshead International Stadium 11,800 9,181
  Huddersfield Kirklees Stadium 24,121 24,375
  Hull The Boulevard 10,500 5,250
  Keighley Cougar Park 7,800 4,845
  Leeds Headingley 19,700 22,209
  Manchester Old Trafford 74,879 74,468
  St. Helens Knowsley Road 17,500 8,679
  Warrington Wilderspool Stadium 9,200 8,083
  Wigan Central Park 18,000 26,263
  Cardiff Ninian Park 21,508 10,250
  Swansea Vetch Field 11,475 15,385

England, France, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales 2000 edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
  Manchester Old Trafford 74,879 74,468
  Bolton Reebok Stadium 28,723 16,032
  Castleford Wheldon Road 11,775 8,958
  Gateshead Gateshead International Stadium 11,800 9,181
  Gloucester Kingsholm Stadium 16,115 2,496
  Hull Craven Park 12,225 7,481
  Hull The Boulevard 10,500 5,250
  Huddersfield Kirklees Stadium 24,121 24,375
  Leeds Headingley 19,700 22,209
  London Twickenham Stadium 82,000 33,758
  Reading Madejski Stadium 24,161 3,982
  St. Helens Knowsley Road 17,500 8,679
  Warrington Wilderspool Stadium 9,200 8,083
  Watford Vicarage Road 22,220 5,404
  Widnes Halton Stadium 13,350 5,211
  Workington Derwent Park 10,000 7,630
  Edinburgh Tynecastle Stadium 17,480 1,579
  Glasgow Firhill Stadium 10,102 2,008
  Cardiff Millennium Stadium 73,931 45,052
  Llanelli Stradey Park 10,800 1,497
  Wrexham Racecourse Ground 10,771 8,019
  Dublin Tolka Park 3,600 1,782
  Belfast Windsor Park 18,614 3,207
  Albi Stadium Municipal d'Albi 13,058 7,969
  Carcassonne Stade Albert Domec 10,000 10,288
  Paris Stade Sébastien Charléty 20,000 7,498
  Toulouse Stadium Municipal 33,150 37,471

Australia 2008 edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
Brisbane Lang Park 52,500 50,599
Canberra Canberra Stadium 25,011 12,293
Gold Coast Robina Stadium 27,400 11,278
Gosford Central Coast Stadium 20,059 9,720
Melbourne Docklands Stadium 56,347 36,297
Newcastle Newcastle International Sports Centre 33,000 15,145
Rockhampton Browne Park 8,000 5,942
Sydney Parramatta Stadium 24,000 8,602
Sydney Penrith Stadium 22,500 11,787
Sydney Sydney Football Stadium 45,500 34,157
Townsville Willows Sports Complex 26,500 16,239
Wollongong Wollongong Showground 23,000 9,213

England and Wales 2013 edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
  Manchester Old Trafford 74,879 74,468
  Bristol Memorial Stadium 12,300 7,247
  Halifax The Shay 10,401 10,266
  Huddersfield Kirklees Stadium 24,121 24,375
  Hull Craven Park 12,225 7,481
  Hull KCOM Stadium 25,400 25,114
  Leeds Headingley 19,700 22,209
  Leigh Leigh Sports Village 12,000 10,554
  London Wembley Stadium 90,000 67,545
  Rochdale Spotland Stadium 10,249 8,872
  Salford City of Salford Stadium 12,000 6,041
  St. Helens Langtree Park 18,000 14,137
  Wigan DW Stadium 25,138 22,276
  Warrington Halliwell Jones Stadium 15,200 14,965
  Workington Derwent Park 10,000 7,630
  Cardiff Millennium Stadium 73,931 45,052
  Neath The Gnoll 6,000 3,270
  Wrexham Racecourse Ground 10,771 8,019
  Avignon Parc des Sports 17,518 17,518
  Perpignan Stade Gilbert Brutus 13,000 11,576
  Limerick Thomond Park 25,600 5,021
  • Although the competition was officially co hosted by England and Wales, France and Ireland also hosted games.

Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea 2017 edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
  Brisbane Lang Park 52,500 50,599
  Cairns Barlow Park 18,000 9,216
  Canberra Canberra Stadium 25,011 12,293
  Darwin Marrara Oval 12,500 13,473
  Melbourne Melbourne Rectangular Stadium 30,050 22,724
  Perth Perth Oval 20,500 14,744
  Sydney Sydney Football Stadium 45,500 34,157
  Townsville Willows Sports Complex 26,500 16,239
  Auckland Mount Smart Stadium 30,000 30,003
  Christchurch Addington Showground 18,000 12,130
  Hamilton Waikato Stadium 25,800 24,041
  Wellington Wellington Regional Stadium 34,500 12,713
  Port Moresby National Football Stadium 14,800 17,000

England 2021 edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
Manchester Old Trafford 74,994
London Emirates Stadium 60,260
Newcastle St James’ Park 52,405
Leeds Elland Road 37,890
Middlesbrough Riverside Stadium 34,742
Coventry Coventry Building Society Arena 32,753
Sheffield Bramall Lane 32,702
Bolton University of Bolton Stadium 38,723
Hull MKM Stadium 25,400
Wigan DW Stadium 25,138
Huddersfield Kirklees Stadium 24,121
Leeds Headingley Stadium 21,062
St Helens Totally Wicked Stadium 18,000
Doncaster Keepmoat Stadium 15,231
Warrington Halliwell Jones Stadium 15,200
Leigh Leigh Sports Village 12,000
Newcastle Kingston Park 10,200
York York Community Stadium 8,500

Venues by nation edit

Australia edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
Years
Brisbane Brisbane Cricket Ground 42,000 29,636 1957
Sydney Sydney Cricket Ground 48,601 62,256 1957, 1968, 1975, 1977
Brisbane Lang Park 52,500 50,599 1968, 1975, 1977, 1985–88, 1989–92, 2008, 2017
Sydney Sydney Football Stadium 45,500 34,157 1985–88, 2008, 2017
Wagga Wagga Eric Weissel Oval 10,000 11,685 1985–88
Parkes Pioneer Oval 12,000 12,384 1989–92
Townsville Townsville Sports Reserve 6,400 12,470 1989–92
Canberra Canberra Stadium 25,011 12,293 2008, 2017
Gold Coast Robina Stadium 27,400 11,278 2008
Gosford Central Coast Stadium 20,059 9,720 2008
Melbourne Docklands Stadium 56,347 36,297 2008
Newcastle Newcastle International Sports Centre 33,000 15,145 2008
Rockhampton Browne Park 8,000 5,942 2008
Sydney Parramatta Stadium 24,000 8,602 2008
Sydney Penrith Stadium 22,500 11,787 2008
Townsville Willows Sports Complex 26,500 16,239 2008, 2017
Wollongong Wollongong Showground 23,000 9,213 2008
Cairns Barlow Park 18,000 9,216 2017
Darwin Marrara Oval 12,500 13,473 2017
Melbourne Melbourne Rectangular Stadium 30,050 22,724 2017
Perth Perth Oval 20,500 14,744 2017

England edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
Years
Bradford Odsal Stadium 22,739 33,023 1960, 1970, 1975
Leeds Headingley 19,700 22,209 1960, 1970, 1975*, 1985–88, 1989–92, 1995, 2000, 2013
Swinton Station Road 35,000 22,923 1960, 1970
Wigan Central Park 18,000 26,263 1960, 1970, 1975, 1985–88, 1989–92, 1995
Castleford Wheldon Road 11,775 8,958 1970, 2000
Hull The Boulevard 10,500 5,250 1970, 1989–92, 1995, 2000
Salford The Willows 11,363 2,247 1975
Warrington Wilderspool Stadium 9,200 8,083 1975, 1995
London Wembley Stadium (1923) 82,000 73,631 1989–92, 1995
Leeds Elland Road 37,890 32,500 1989–92
Gateshead Gateshead International Stadium 11,800 9,181 1995, 2000
Huddersfield Kirklees Stadium 24,121 24,375 1995, 2000, 2013
Keighley Cougar Park 7,800 4,845 1995
Manchester Old Trafford 74,879 74,468 1995, 2000, 2013
St. Helens Knowsley Road 17,500 8,679 1995, 2000
Bolton Reebok Stadium 28,723 16,032 2000
Gloucester Kingsholm Stadium 16,115 2,496 2000
Hull Craven Park 12,225 7,481 2000, 2013
London Twickenham Stadium 82,000 33,758 2000
Reading Madejski Stadium 24,161 3,982 2000
Watford Vicarage Road 22,220 5,404 2000
Widnes Halton Stadium 13,350 5,211 2000
Workington Derwent Park 10,000 7,630 2000, 2013
Bristol Memorial Stadium 12,300 7,247 2013
Halifax The Shay 10,401 10,266 2013
Hull KCOM Stadium 25,400 25,114 2013
Leigh Leigh Sports Village 12,000 10,554 2013
London Wembley Stadium 90,000 67,545 2013
Salford City of Salford Stadium 12,000 6,041 2013
St. Helens Langtree Park 18,000 14,137 2013
Warrington Halliwell Jones Stadium 15,200 14,965 2013
Wigan DW Stadium 25,138 22,276 2013

* 1975 had no official World Cup Final. Instead a special challenge match was played.

France edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
Years
Paris Parc des Princes 47,929 30,368 1954, 1972
Lyon Stade de Gerland 35,000 10,250 1954, 1972
Bordeaux Stade Chaban Delmas 34,694 14,000 1954, 1975
Marseille Stade Vélodrome 67,394 20,748 1954, 1972, 1975
Nantes Stade Marcel Saupin 1,880 13,000 1954
Toulouse Stadium Municipal 33,150 37,471 1954, 1972, 1975, 2000
Grenoble Stade Lesdiguières 12,000 5,321 1972
Pau Stade du Hameau 18,324 7,500 1972
Perpignan Stade Gilbert Brutus 13,000 11,576 1972, 1975, 1985–88, 1989–92, 2013
Avignon Parc des Sports 17,518 17,518 1985–88, 2013
Carcassonne Stade Albert Domec 10,000 10,288 1985–88, 1989–92, 2000
Albi Stadium Municipal d'Albi 13,058 7,969 2000
Paris Stade Sébastien Charléty 20,000 7,498 2000

Ireland edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
Years
Dublin Tolka Park 3,600 1,782 2000
Limerick Thomond Park 25,600 5,021 2013

New Zealand edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
Years
Auckland Carlaw Park 17,000 18,000 1968, 1975, 1977, 1985–88
Christchurch Addington Showground 18,000 12,130 1975, 1977, 1985–88, 1989–92, 2017
Auckland Eden Park 50,000 47,363 1985–88
Auckland Mount Smart Stadium 30,000 30,003 1989–92, 2017
Hamilton Waikato Stadium 25,800 24,041 2017
Wellington Wellington Regional Stadium 34,500 12,713 2017

Northern Ireland edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
Years
Belfast Windsor Park 18,614 3,207 2000

Papua New Guinea edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
Years
Port Moresby National Football Stadium 14,800 17,000 1985–88, 1989–92, 2017
Goroka Danny Leahy Oval 13,000 11,485 1989–92

Scotland edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
Years
Edinburgh Tynecastle Stadium 19,582 1,579 2000
Glasgow Firhill Stadium 10,102 2,008 2000

Wales edit

City Stadium Capacity Highest
Attendance
Years
Swansea St. Helen's Rugby and Cricket Ground 4,500 11,112 1975
Cardiff Ninian Park 21,508 10,250 1995
Swansea Vetch Field 11,475 15,385 1995
Cardiff Millennium Stadium 73,931 45,052 2000, 2013
Llanelli Stradey Park 10,800 1,497 2000
Wrexham Racecourse Ground 10,771 8,019 2000, 2013
Neath The Gnoll 6,000 3,270 2013

See also edit

References edit

Further reading edit

  • Andrews, Malcolm & Butcher, Tim (2009). The Rugby League World Cup. League Publications.

External links edit