Venues for England and New Zealand 2018 Test series announced
The KCOM Stadium, Anfield and Elland Road will be the venues for England’s three-match Test series against New Zealand in Autumn 2018.
The RFL announced yesterday that the Three Lions will host the Kiwis in a three-match international Rugby League Test series in the autumn of next year.
Hull be the place where the opening game of the series will take place. England will face New Zealand on Saturday 27 October (2:30pm) at the KCOM Stadium.
Following the success of the 2016 Four Nations Final when over 40,000 fans watched Australia beat New Zealand, international Rugby League will return to Anfield in Liverpool for the second Test on Saturday 3 November (2:30pm).
The series will conclude on Sunday 11 November (3pm) at Leeds United’s Elland Road. The famous football ground hasn’t hosted international Rugby League there since the 2011 Four Nations Final between England and Australia.
The Kiwis last visited England for a Test series in 2015, when the hosts lifted the Baskerville Shield in front of a sell-out crowd in Wigan.
And the visitors will be eager to put a disappointing World Cup campaign behind them and win the Test series.
On the three-match Test series, RFL CEO Nigel Wood said: “With the eyes of the nation firmly fixed on England’s progress in the World Cup, we are delighted to announce that international Rugby League is returning to home soil in 2018.
“Fans will be able to see some of the biggest names in the game compete at three fantastic stadiums. The KCOM Stadium, Anfield and Elland Road are all venues that I am sure will inspire the players and I am certain that England fans will help create incredible atmospheres at each of these grounds next year.”
And England head coach Wayne Bennett added: “International Rugby League is the pinnacle in any payer’s career and it’s good to see a traditional Test series confirmed in the calendar for next year.
“Games between England and New Zealand always deliver plenty of entertainment and drama and I expect next year’s series will be no different.”
Tickets for all three games are on sale now at rugby-league.com and cost from £25 for adults and £12.50 for concessions. ‘OuRLeague’ members will get £5 off all ticket categories when purchased through the Our League app or website.
International Test Series Fixtures:
Saturday 27 October (2:30pm), KCOM Stadium, Hull
Saturday 3 November (2:30pm), Anfield, Liverpool
Sunday 11 November (3pm), Elland Road, Leeds