Rugby World Cup: Venues to include Twickenham, Kingsholm, Villa Park and ...

Brighton Community Centre

As one of the newest venues on the rugby circuit — it opened in July 2011 —

the £93million stadium will next year get the chance to show off its

state-of-the-art facilities to the world.
Capacity 30,000
Did you know? With the ground’s close proximity to the coast, hawks are

regularly brought in to deter nesting seagulls and pigeons.
Rugby history The stadium has not staged any rugby before.
Number of matches 2

Twickenham (London)

As the world’s largest dedicated rugby union stadium, there is no more

fitting venue for the Rugby World Cup. Next year it hosts 10 games,

including both semi-finals and the final.
Capacity 82,000
Did you know? The first game played at the ground was between local

clubs Harlequins and Richmond in 1909, two years after it was bought by the

RFU.
Rugby history It staged the 1991 Rugby World Cup final and 1999

semi-finals.
Number of matches 10

Olympic Stadium (London)

Fresh from its redevelopment after the Olympic Games, the ultra-modern

Stratford stadium is hoping to rekindle the spirit of London 2012. Step

aside, Usain Bolt and Mo Farah; enter Dan Carter and Bryan Habana.
Capacity 54,000
Did you know? West Ham will play football and Essex will play Twenty20

cricket at the Olympic Stadium from 2016.
Rugby history The stadium has never staged any rugby before.
Number of matches 5

Wembley Stadium (London)

The impressive arena in north-west London already boasts the world record

attendance for a club rugby match. Now it is ready to put itself on the

international stage. First up, the All Blacks.
Capacity 90,000
Did you know? The Wembley arch has a diameter of 24ft — wide enough to

accommodate a Channel Tunnel train.
Rugby history Wembley has been frequently used by Saracens to stage

showpiece European and domestic matches.
Number of matches 2

Stadium MK (Milton Keynes)

Milton Keynes is not normally associated with English rugby — it’s home to MK

Dons FC — but that will change next year when the rugby world will become

aware of the Buckinghamshire town.
Capacity 31,000
Did you know? Stadium MK opened in 2007 to accommodate Wimbledon FC’s

controversial relocation to Milton Keynes.
Rugby history It has staged occasional Saracens and Northampton games.
Number of matches 3

Leicester City Stadium

Leicester will welcome the Rugby World Cup with open arms. With Leicester

Tigers’ Welford Road ground near by, you can expect a passionate crowd.
Capacity 32,000
Did you know? In 2006 a World XV played South Africa here to

commemorate the Springboks’ centenary as a touring team.
Rugby history Leicester Tigers have played two European Cup semi-finals

at this stadium.
Number of matches 3

Elland Road (Leeds)

Leeds may be more accustomed to rugby league than union but the city will

catch cross-code fever when it hosts a weekend of international action next

year.
Capacity 39,000
Did you know? While Elland Road is synonymous with football, its first

live televised match was the rugby league Challenge Cup final replay in

1982.
Rugby history It staged a match between the North of England and South

Africa in 1992.
Number of matches 2

St James’ Park (Newcastle)

It is one of England’s most passionate sporting cities, although the No 9s

that Newcastle fans worship tend to be centre-forwards rather than

scrum-halves. But rugby-wise, it is the city where Jonny Wilkinson spent 12

seasons playing for Newcastle Falcons.
Capacity 52,000
Did you know? A swimming pool was built beneath one of the stands as

part of a redevelopment in 1905, and the ground is built on the site of the

city’s former execution gallows.
Rugby history The second biggest ground in England outside London has

never staged the sport before.
Number of matches 3

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Article source: http://www.espnscrum.com/2015-rugby-world-cup/rugby/story/232977.html

Rugby World Cup: Venues to include Twickenham, Kingsholm, Villa Park and ...