The countdown to the Rugby League World Cup is now under way with big news - and tickets - due to be released to fans this Friday.
With Newcastle still set to host the opening match of the rescheduled tournament next year, excitement in the city is building and the full 61-match schedule is now set to be confirmed.
The 'road' to the event is officially under way with the announcement that the schedule will be confirmed at 9am on November 19 and tickets will go on sale at the same time.
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The RLWC2021 website said work on the final details has been under way with all the partners involved in the tournament, which will kick off at St James’s Park in Newcastle on October 15, 2022 with England men taking on Samoa.
The World Cup will culminate at Old Trafford in Manchester on November 19 with the men’s and women’s double-header final.
The RLWC2021 says that while it is later than initially planned the tournament will be "bigger, better and bolder than ever before", featuring the world's best athletes and men's, women's and wheelchair events taking place simultaneously for the first time.
Only five of the originally-planned fixtures, equating to four match-days, have been affected during the rescheduling of the 61 matches staged at 21 venues in 18 host towns and cities and these now have been accommodated either by existing venues or alternative ones.
It means Anfield Stadium and the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool are no longer taking part but other venues in that city will and these will be unveiled on Friday.
Jon Dutton, RLWC2021 chief executive officer, said: “ A huge amount of work has gone in behind the scenes and thanks to so many people we have the opportunity to deliver a bigger and better tournament next autumn."
Troy Grant, IRL Chairman, added: "With the full schedule to come this week, players, administrators and fans can start to plan their role in creating sporting history.”
All 32 teams across the 21 competing nations participating in the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments have fully committed to the 2022 tournament. And the BBC has confirmed that all matches will be shown live.
General admission tickets and hospitality matches for all 61 matches will go on sale on Friday at 9am. See here.
Those who have retained their tickets will find them automatically transferred to the corresponding fixture in 2022 while Friday will also offer a second opportunity for anyone wanting to request a refund.
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