Rugby evokes passion in Yorkshire. The county is historically known for spearheading the split from rugby football union and developing rugby league, while the wealth
of local talent has meant 1 in 7 England rugby union players now hail from its cities, towns and villages. An invitation to host
two Rugby World Cup matches was therefore music to the (cauliflower) ears of
Leeds and set in motion the planning for a whole host of celebrations throughout
the city. From the chance to chat to sporting legends, to club demonstrations
and even theatre productions, find out what’s on offer at three of the city’s
leading destinations this September and start planning your rugby retreat to
Leeds.
Elland Road
Despite its football ties, Elland Road Stadium actually has
roots in rugby. Upon opening in 1897, the ground was solely used to host rugby
league matches for both Holbeck Rugby Club and Leeds Woodville, changing hands
to Leeds City FC in 1904 and then to Leeds United in 1919. Combine the fact
that it hosted a rugby union match between South Africa and England North in
November 1992, its renowned, feisty atmosphere and 37,914 capacity, and it’s easy to see
why the venue has been chosen for both the Italy vs Canada game on the 26th
of September and Scotland vs USA on the 27th. Kick-off is at 2.30pm on
both days, leaving plenty of time to enjoy a Full Yorkshire Breakfast and explore
the city’s many attractions before heading to the stadium, just a 6 minute
drive from our 4-star stay.
Headingley
The 22,000 capacity Headingley Carnegie Stadium holds a
special place in the hearts of fans as the only stadium in the world in which union,
league and cricket games are played. The rugby stadium was built by the team now known as the Leeds Rhinos in 1889, it hosted the first ever Challenge Cup final in 1897 and its first
international rugby league match in 1908. With such a rich history, the
‘home of Leeds Rugby’ is a must-see for any visiting fan and will be offering
special edition heritage tours led by dual-code legends, Sir Ian McGeechan and
John Bentley. Expect behind-the-scenes insight, a look into the
stadium’s history and sporting highlights, and an exclusive
Q and A lunch post-tour on the 24th and 25th.
Millennium Square
Missed out on a ticket at Elland Road? There’s no need to
panic as 4,000 rugby fans will be descending on Leeds’ Millennium Square to celebrate every day
throughout the tournament. Named the ‘Fanzone’, it'll offer the chance to watch matches on the
big screen, sample a delicious bite to eat from local street food vendors and a enjoy a variety of family friendly activities. ‘This Girl Can’ and the first mixed ability contact Rugby Union team, the Bumbles
will be on-hand to inspire and inform, while local clubs will offer demonstrations.
Kids will be encouraged to practise tackling on inflatables, while local
creative producers, Dep Arts will be putting on two productions, one delving
into rugby’s world history and the other celebrating teamwork using 300 volunteers.
From the opening ceremony on the 18th of
September, to the moment the winning team lifts the gleaming Webb Ellis Cup, we’re
expecting an electrifying air of excitement throughout our city. Combining the original
features of a historic corn mill and contemporary facilities, we offer a
charming getaway with feather duvets, outstanding views over the Aire and an
honesty bar in the heart of the city. Find our latest offers and packages here
for a luxurious stay during the Rugby World Cup 2015.
