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York is a World Cup city! New stadium will host women’s rugby league semi-finals

@ in Sport

York City Knights Ladies team members celebrate York hosting the tournament last year. L-R: Bethany Lockwood, Ashley Hyde and Bev Langan. Photographs: Charlotte Graham

Now that’s what we call a world class result.

York has been chosen to be one of the host cities for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

The news was broken shortly after 9am today (Tuesday) on a BBC Sport livestream special from Manchester.


York’s new stadium will be home to both women’s semi-finals and a number of group stage matches in November 2021.

When the news was announced a cheer went up from partners in the bid who had gathered at the Everyman Cinema.

And our World Cup status has been warmly welcomed across the city.

Tickets on sale later

All smiles at the stadium… L-R Bettie Lambert, Kay Rollinson (assistant coach at York City Knights) and Bethany Lockwood
The fixtures will be formally announced later this year, with tickets going on sale soon after.

A total of 40 towns and cities met last July’s deadline to submit bids. York’s successful bid was from a consortium consisting of the council, the University of York, York St John University, GLL, York City Knights and Make It York.

And it impressed the top man, Chief Executive of Rugby League World Cup 2021 Jon Dutton:

  • We are delighted that York will play an integral role in the women’s tournament at the new community stadium.

    York will host three group match days along with the double header semi-finals which is testament to the excellent bid the York partnership put together.

What they said

Cllr Nigel Ayre
To have both women’s semi-finals as well as numerous group games is fantastic. The city will be the focus and envy of the sporting world across four days in November as world class athletes from across the world compete.


Cllr Ian Gillies, leader City of York Council
The fact that York has secured such a great fixture list is the result of the partnership work that has taken place and the support we have received for our bid from across the city to bring the world cup to York.


Jon Flatman, chairman of York City Knights
The York City Knights are proud to be part of what will be a fantastic opportunity for York and rugby league in the area. We are looking forward to working with our partners to maximise the impact this opportunity will bring to inspire the communities in and around York.


Kay Rollinson, Knights assistant coach
Me and the York City Knights Ladies are so excited that we have the opportunity to host the women’s world cup in York and believe that it will encourage greater participation and inspire girls of all ages to play rugby league.


Jason McGill, chairman at York City FC
This is great news for the city and will help promote the local area, the new Community Stadium, and the growing participation of women in top level sport.


Kirsty Parr, York City Knights Ladies player
It is wonderful that we will have the opportunity to see such high quality rugby league on our doorstep, especially for the women and girls that are playing rugby in York, and those who will be inspired to start.


What Twitter said

World Cup bid partners and press hear the good news at Everyman Cinema