The Rugby League World Cup is on course to kick off in front of a capacity crowd when St James' Park plays host to England v Samoa.
Selling out St James' Park for the tournament's launch on Saturday October 15 is a key goal for the Rugby League World Cup's organisers as the sport's showpiece event comes home to England. Rugby League World Cup Chief Executive Jon Dutton told reporters on Tuesday that getting a capacity crowd at the home of Newcastle United is a "fundamental" target "we are well on our way" to hitting despite the tournament being delayed by a year due to Coronavirus.
Newcastle, which has become a favourite with rugby league fans due to the success of the Super League's Magic Weekend, will host four games in the men's tournament. The opening game at St James' will include a Welcome Event, described as a "mixture of music, dance and special moments" that will celebrate the North East and rugby league, with representatives from the men's, women's and wheelchair tournaments, which are being held alongside each other.
Read more: Super League stars excited about Newcastle hosting Rugby League World Cup
Limited tickets remain on sale for England v Samoa at St James' Park. The tournament organisers say a 52,000 sell-out, or close to one, would break the attendance record for a Rugby League World Cup opening game in the Northern Hemisphere, adding: "We are extremely confident we will achieve that."
Newcastle's Falcons' and Newcastle Thunder's stadium, Kingston Park, will host three games in the men's Rugby League World Cup. They include Scotland matches against Fiji and Italy, which only have limited, mainly terracing, tickets remaining on sale and are on course to sell out.
Tickets for the delayed Rugby League World Cup remain on sale. Head to https://www.rlwc2021.com/tickets/buy-tickets to buy.
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