Rugby League World Cup fixture dates revealed
Rugby League World Cup dates have been announced ahead of the tournament next year.
The opening involving a double header and the date for the final had already been revealed, but Rugby League World Cup organisers have now announced the dates for the remaining group games, and the dates for the knockout stages which involves Wembley double header for both semi finals on Saturday 23 November 2013.
RLWC2013 General Manager Sally Bolton said: “This is more exciting news for RLWC2013 and shows again that we are in great shape in terms of planning. Announcing these fixture dates now will allow Super League and Championship fans to start making plans for the tournament as they receive our ‘early bird’ offers with their season ticket renewals over the next few weeks.
“We would encourage all Rugby League fans to buy early, especially for the showpiece games, as we have already had enquiries from St Helens fans, who were the first to receive their RLWC2013 ticket offers with their renewal information this week. Judging by our social media interaction we expect many more enquiries as the country enjoys a massive few weeks of sporting action.”
England will begin their campaign to be crowned world champions in 2013 at Cardiff on Saturday, October 26, as they take on Australia in the second of a double header which will also see Wales open the tournament against Italy.
England will then travel to Huddersfield to face Ireland on Saturday, November 2, before rounding off the group against Fiji at the KC Stadium on Saturday, November 9.
Derwent Park in Workington, which replaced the planned Copeland Stadium in Whitehaven as a World Cup venue last week, will play host to Tonga v Scotland on Tuesday, October 29 and Scotland v Italy on Sunday, November 3.
The semi final double header at Wembley Stadium will take place on Saturday, November 23. Kick off times for all 28 matches have yet to be confirmed, with a TV broadcast deal expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Bolton said: “It is important to note that a small number of the dates may be subject to change. Our host broadcast partners will also be announced soon and when the TV schedule is finalised we will be able to set in stone the fixtures and kick-off times.”
Tickets for the World Cup will go on sale on Friday October 26, 2012, exactly one year before the tournament starts.
Full list of Rugby League World Cup 2013 fixtures and dates
Group games – Round one
1. Saturday 26th October Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Australia v England Group A
2. Saturday 26th October Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Wales v Italy Group C/D
3. Sunday 27th October MS3 Craven Park, Hull Papua New Guinea v France Group B
4. Sunday 27th October Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington New Zealand v Samoa Group B
5. Monday 28th October Spotland Stadium, Rochdale Fiji v Ireland Group A
6. Tuesday 29th October Derwent Park, Workington Tonga v Scotland Group C
7. Wednesday 30th October The Memorial Stadium, Bristol USA v Cook Islands Group D
Group games – Round two
8. Friday 1st November Parc des Sports, Avignon New Zealand v France Group B
9. Saturday 2nd November Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield England v Ireland Group A
10. Saturday 2nd November Langtree Park, St Helens Australia v Fiji Group A
11. Sunday 3rd November Glyndŵr University RS, Wrexham Wales v USA Group D
12. Sunday 3rd November Derwent Park, Workington Scotland v Italy Group C
13. Monday 4th November MS3 Craven Park, Hull Papua New Guinea v Samoa Group B
14. Tuesday 5th November Leigh Sports Village Tonga v Cook Islands Group C/D
Group games – Round three
15. Thursday 7th November Salford City Stadium Scotland v USA Group C/D
16. Friday 8th November Headingley Carnegie, Leeds New Zealand v Papua New Guinea Group B
17. Saturday 9th November KC Stadium, Hull England v Fiji Group A
18. Saturday 9th November Thomand Park, Limerick Australia v Ireland Group A
19. Sunday 10th November The Gnoll, Neath Wales v Cook Islands Group D
20. Sunday 10th November The Shay, Halifax Tonga v Italy Group C
21. Monday 11th November Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan France v Samoa Group B
Quarter finals
22. Friday 15th November Headingley Carnegie, Leeds Winner B v Winner C QF1
23. Saturday 16th November Glyndŵr University RS, Wrexham Winner A v Winner D QF2
24. Saturday 16th November DW Stadium, Wigan Runner Up A v 3rd Place B QF3
25. Sunday 17th November Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington Runner Up B v 3rd Place A QF4
Semi finals
26. Saturday 23rd November Wembley Stadium, London Winner Q/F 2 v Winner Q/F 4 SF1
27. Saturday 23rd November Wembley Stadium, London Winner Q/F 1 v Winner Q/F 3 SF2
Final
28. Saturday 30th November Old Trafford, Manchester Winner S/F 1 v Winner S/F 2