Rugby League World Cup venues
Headingley in Leeds has hosted games in eight Rugby League World Cups – the most of any venue
The following is a list of venues that have hosted matches as part of the Rugby League World Cup .[ 1]
The first Rugby league World Cup was staged in France in 1954 with the last having been staged in England in 2022 . The next World Cup is set to be held in 2026
As of 2022, there have been 16 Rugby League World Cups held since the inaugural event in 1954.
Venues by tournament
Old Trafford in Manchester has hosted the most Rugby League World Cup finals – with three
Parc des Princes in Paris hosted the first Rugby League World Cup Final in 1954
Lang Park in Brisbane has hosted games in seven Rugby League World Cup – the joint second most of any venue along with the now demolished Central Park
Wembley Stadium in London is the largest venue ever to be used in the Rugby League World Cup at 90,000 capacity – it hosted the 2013 semi-finals as a double header
The Gnoll in Neath is the smallest venue ever to be used in the Rugby League World Cup at 5,000 capacity – it was also used in 2013 for one group game
All countries listed in alphabetical order while all venues listed in order of appearance and with their non-corporate name (unless unavoidable). Venue capacity is as it currently stands and in some cases may vary from the capacity of the venue at the time of use. For example, the Sydney Cricket Ground 's current spectator capacity is 48,000 but stood at 70,000 when used as a World Cup venue from 1957 to 1977.
Stadiums in bold text show Rugby League World Cup final hosts.
Stadiums in italic text show ground has been demolished as of 2024.
Highest Attendance is the highest for that particular tournament.
France 1954
City
Stadium
Capacity
Highest Attendance
Paris
Parc des Princes
48,229
30,368
Bordeaux
Stade Chaban Delmas
34,462
14,000
Lyon
Stade de Gerland
25,000
10,250
Marseille
Stade Vélodrome
67,394
20,000
Nantes
Stade Marcel Saupin
1,880
13,000
Toulouse
Stadium Municipal
33,150
37,471
Australia 1957
United Kingdom 1960
Australia and New Zealand 1968
United Kingdom 1970
City
Stadium
Capacity
Highest Attendance
Leeds
Headingley
19,700
18,776
Bradford
Odsal Stadium
26,019
6,654
Castleford
Wheldon Road
10,500
8,958
Hull
The Boulevard
10,500
3,824
Swinton
Station Road
15,000
5,609
Wigan
Central Park
18,000
9,805
France 1972
City
Stadium
Capacity
Highest Attendance
Lyon
Stade de Gerland
25,000
4,231
Grenoble
Stade Lesdiguières
12,000
5,321
Marseille
Stade Vélodrome
67,394
20,748
Paris
Parc des Princes
48,229
8,000
Pau
Stade du Hameau
14,588
7,500
Perpignan
Stade Gilbert Brutus
13,000
6,324
Toulouse
Stadium Municipal
33,150
10,332
Australia, France, New Zealand, and United Kingdom 1975
City
Stadium
Capacity
Highest Attendance
Leeds
Headingley
19,700
10,842
Brisbane
Lang Park
52,500
12,000
Sydney
Sydney Cricket Ground
48,000
33,858
Bradford
Odsal Stadium
26,019
5,507
Salford
The Willows
11,363
2,247
Warrington
Wilderspool Stadium
9,200
5,034
Wigan
Central Park
18,000
9,353
Bordeaux
Stade Chaban Delmas
34,462
1,581
Marseille
Stade Vélodrome
67,394
10,000
Perpignan
Stade Gilbert Brutus
13,000
10,440
Toulouse
Stadium Municipal
33,150
7,563
Auckland
Carlaw Park
17,000
18,000
Christchurch
Addington Showgrounds
18,000
2,500
Swansea
St Helens Rugby Ground
4,500
11,112
Australia and New Zealand 1977
International 1985–1988
City
Stadium
Capacity
Highest Attendance
Auckland
Eden Park
50,000
47,363
Brisbane
Lang Park
52,500
22,811
Sydney
Sydney Football Stadium
45,500
15,944
Wagga Wagga
Eric Weissel Oval
10,000
11,685
Leeds
Headingley
19,700
6,567
Wigan
Central Park
18,000
20,169
Avignon
Parc des Sports
17,518
4,000
Carcassonne
Stade Albert Domec
10,000
5,000
Perpignan
Stade Gilbert Brutus
13,000
5,000
Auckland
Carlaw Park
17,000
15,327
Christchurch
Addington Showgrounds
18,000
8,525
Port Moresby
Lloyd Robson Oval
14,800
17,000
International 1989–1992
City
Stadium
Capacity
Highest Attendance
London
Old Wembley Stadium
82,000
73,631
Brisbane
Lang Park
52,500
32,313
Parkes
Pioneer Oval
12,000
12,384
Townsville
Townsville Sports Reserve
6,500
12,470
Hull
The Boulevard
10,500
5,250
Leeds
Elland Road
37,792
32,500
Wigan
Central Park
18,000
20,346
Carcassonne
Stade Albert Domec
10,000
4,208
Perpignan
Stade Gilbert Brutus
13,000
3,965
Auckland
Mount Smart Stadium
25,000
15,000
Christchurch
Queen Elizabeth II Park
25,000
3,133
Christchurch
Addington Showgrounds
18,000
2,000
Goroka
Danny Leahy Oval
13,000
11,485
Port Moresby
Lloyd Robson Oval
14,800
14,500
England 1995
City
Stadium
Capacity
Highest Attendance
London
Old Wembley Stadium
82,000
66,540
Gateshead
Gateshead International Stadium
11,800
9,181
Huddersfield
Kirklees Stadium
24,121
16,608
Hull
The Boulevard
10,500
5,121
Keighley
Cougar Park
7,800
4,845
Leeds
Headingley
19,700
14,041
Manchester
Old Trafford
74,310
30,042
St. Helens
Knowsley Road
17,500
8,679
Warrington
Wilderspool Stadium
9,200
8,083
Wigan
Central Park
18,000
26,263
Cardiff
Ninian Park
21,508
10,250
Swansea
Vetch Field
11,475
15,385
England, France, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales 2000
City
Stadium
Capacity
Highest Attendance
Manchester
Old Trafford
74,310
44,329
Bolton
Reebok Stadium
28,723
16,032
Castleford
Wheldon Road
10,500
5,158
Gateshead
Gateshead International Stadium
11,800
9,181
Gloucester
Kingsholm Stadium
16,115
2,496
Hull
Craven Park
12,225
2,187
Hull
The Boulevard
10,500
3,044
Huddersfield
McAlpine Stadium
24,121
8,144
Leeds
Headingley
19,700
15,405
London
Twickenham Stadium
82,000
33,758
Reading
Madejski Stadium
24,161
3,982
St. Helens
Knowsley Road
17,500
5,736
Watford
Vicarage Road
22,220
5,404
Widnes
Halton Stadium
13,350
5,211
Workington
Derwent Park
10,000
4,107
Edinburgh
Tynecastle Stadium
19,852
1,579
Glasgow
Firhill Stadium
10,102
2,008
Cardiff
Millennium Stadium
73,931
17,612
Llanelli
Stradey Park
10,800
1,497
Wrexham
Racecourse Ground
13,341
5,016
Dublin
Tolka Park
5,700
1,782
Belfast
Windsor Park
18,500
3,207
Albi
Stadium Municipal d'Albi
13,058
7,969
Carcassonne
Stade Albert Domec
10,000
10,288
Paris
Stade Sébastien Charléty
20,000
7,498
Toulouse
Stadium Municipal
33,150
4,313
Australia 2008
City
Stadium
Capacity
Highest Attendance
Brisbane
Lang Park
52,500
50,599
Canberra
Canberra Stadium
25,011
9,827
Gold Coast
Robina Stadium
27,690
11,278
Gosford
Central Coast Stadium
20,059
9,720
Melbourne
Docklands Stadium
56,347
36,297
Newcastle
Newcastle International Sports Centre
30,000
15,145
Rockhampton
Browne Park
8,000
5,930
Sydney
Parramatta Stadium
20,741
8,067
Sydney
Penrith Stadium
22,500
11,787
Sydney
Sydney Football Stadium
45,500
34,157
Townsville
Willows Sports Complex
26,500
16,239
Wollongong
Wollongong Showground
23,750
9,213
England and Wales 2013
City
Stadium
Capacity
Highest Attendance
Manchester
Old Trafford
74,310
74,468
Bristol
Memorial Stadium
11,000
7,247
Halifax
The Shay
10,401
10,266
Huddersfield
Kirklees Stadium
24,121
24,375
Hull
Craven Park
12,225
7,481
Hull
Hull City Stadium
25,586
25,114
Leeds
Headingley
19,700
18,180
Leigh
Leigh Sports Village
12,000
10,554
London
Wembley Stadium
90,000
67,545
Rochdale
Spotland Stadium
10,249
8,872
Salford
City of Salford Stadium
12,000
6,041
St. Helens
Langtree Park
18,000
14,137
Wigan
Wigan Athletic Stadium
25,138
22,276
Warrington
Halliwell Jones Stadium
15,300
14,965
Workington
Derwent Park
10,000
7,630
Cardiff
Millennium Stadium
73,931
45,052
Neath
The Gnoll
6,000
3,270
Wrexham
Racecourse Ground
13,341
8,019
Avignon
Parc des Sports
17,518
17,518
Perpignan
Stade Gilbert Brutus
13,000
11,576
Limerick
Thomond Park
25,600
5,021
Although the competition was officially co hosted by England and Wales, France and Ireland also hosted games.
Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea 2017
City
Stadium
Capacity
Highest Attendance
Brisbane
Lang Park
52,500
40,033
Cairns
Barlow Park
16,700
9,216
Canberra
Canberra Stadium
25,011
12,293
Darwin
Marrara Oval
12,500
13,473
Melbourne
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
30,050
22,724
Perth
Perth Oval
20,500
14,744
Sydney
Sydney Football Stadium
45,500
21,127
Townsville
Willows Sports Complex
26,500
7,732
Auckland
Mount Smart Stadium
25,000
30,003
Christchurch
Rugby League Park
18,000
12,130
Hamilton
Waikato Stadium
25,800
24,041
Wellington
Wellington Regional Stadium
34,500
12,713
Port Moresby
National Football Stadium
14,800
14,800
England 2021
City
Stadium
Capacity
Highest Attendance
Manchester
Old Trafford
74,310
67,502
London
Ashburton Grove
60,704
40,489
Newcastle
St James’ Park
52,350
43,199
Leeds
Elland Road
37,792
28,113
Middlesbrough
Riverside Stadium
34,742
8,342
Coventry
Coventry Arena
32,753
10,276
Sheffield
Bramall Lane
32,050
18,760
Bolton
Bolton Stadium
28,723
23,648
Hull
Hull City Stadium
25,586
7,080
Wigan
Wigan Athletic Stadium
25,138
23,179
Huddersfield
Kirklees Stadium
24,121
24,375
Leeds
Headingley Stadium
19,700
13,366
St Helens
Langtree Park
18,000
14,137
Doncaster
Keepmoat Stadium
15,231
6,968
Warrington
Halliwell Jones Stadium
15,200
14,965
Leigh
Leigh Sports Village
12,000
6,057
Newcastle
Kingston Park
10,200
6,736
Venues by nation
Australia
City
Stadium
Capacity
Highest Attendance
Years
Brisbane
Brisbane Cricket Ground
37,478
29,636
1957
Sydney
Sydney Cricket Ground
48,000
62,256
1957 , 1968 , 1975 , 1977
Brisbane
Lang Park
52,500
50,599
1968 , 1975 , 1977 , 1985–88 , 1989–92 , 2008 , 2017
Sydney
Sydney Football Stadium
45,500
34,157
1985–88 , 2008 , 2017
Wagga Wagga
Eric Weissel Oval
10,000
11,685
1985–88
Parkes
Pioneer Oval
12,000
12,384
1989–92
Townsville
Townsville Sports Reserve
6,500
12,470
1989–92
Canberra
Canberra Stadium
25,011
12,293
2008 , 2017
Gold Coast
Robina Stadium
27,690
11,278
2008
Gosford
Central Coast Stadium
20,059
9,720
2008
Melbourne
Docklands Stadium
56,347
36,297
2008
Newcastle
Newcastle International Sports Centre
30,000
15,145
2008
Rockhampton
Browne Park
8,000
5,942
2008
Sydney
Parramatta Stadium
20,741
8,602
2008
Sydney
Penrith Stadium
22,500
11,787
2008
Townsville
Willows Sports Complex
26,500
16,239
2008 , 2017
Wollongong
Wollongong Showground
23,750
9,213
2008
Cairns
Barlow Park
16,700
9,216
2017
Darwin
Marrara Oval
12,500
13,473
2017
Melbourne
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
30,050
22,724
2017
Perth
Perth Oval
20,500
14,744
2017
England
City
Stadium
Capacity
Highest Attendance
Years
Bradford
Odsal Stadium
26,019
33,023
1960 , 1970 , 1975
Leeds
Headingley
19,700
22,209
1960 , 1970 , 1975 * , 1985–88 , 1989–92 , 1995 , 2000 , 2013 , 2021
Swinton
Station Road
15,000
22,923
1960 , 1970
Wigan
Central Park
18,000
26,263
1960 , 1970 , 1975 , 1985–88 , 1989–92 , 1995
Castleford
Wheldon Road
10,500
8,958
1970 , 2000
Hull
The Boulevard
10,500
5,250
1970 , 1989–92 , 1995 , 2000
Salford
The Willows
11,363
2,247
1975
Warrington
Wilderspool Stadium
9,200
8,083
1975 , 1995
London
Wembley Stadium (1923)
82,000
73,631
1989–92 , 1995
Leeds
Elland Road
37,792
32,500
1989–92 , 2021
Gateshead
Gateshead International Stadium
11,800
9,181
1995 , 2000
Huddersfield
Kirklees Stadium
24,121
24,375
1995 , 2000 , 2013 , 2021
Keighley
Cougar Park
7,800
4,845
1995
Manchester
Old Trafford
74,310
74,468
1995 , 2000 , 2013 , 2021
St. Helens
Knowsley Road
17,500
8,679
1995 , 2000
Bolton
Bolton Stadium
28,723
23,648
2000 , 2021
Gloucester
Kingsholm Stadium
16,115
2,496
2000
Hull
Craven Park
12,225
7,481
2000
London
Twickenham Stadium
82,000
33,758
2000
Reading
Madejski Stadium
24,161
3,982
2000
Watford
Vicarage Road
22,220
5,404
2000
Widnes
Halton Stadium
13,350
5,211
2000
Workington
Derwent Park
10,000
7,630
2000 , 2013
Bristol
Memorial Stadium
11,000
7,247
2013
Halifax
The Shay
10,401
10,266
2013
Hull
Hull City Stadium
25,586
25,114
2013 , 2021
Leigh
Leigh Sports Village
12,000
10,554
2013 , 2021
London
Wembley Stadium
90,000
67,545
2013
Salford
City of Salford Stadium
12,000
6,041
2013
St. Helens
Langtree Park
18,000
14,137
2013 , 2021
Warrington
Halliwell Jones Stadium
15,300
14,965
2013 , 2021
Wigan
Wigan Athletic Stadium
25,138
23,179
2013 , 2021
London
Ashburton Grove
60,704
40,489
2021
Newcastle
St James' Park
52,350
43,199
2021
Middlesbrough
Riverside Stadium
34,742
8,342
2021
Coventry
Coventry Arena
32,753
10,276
2021
Sheffield
Bramall Lane
32,050
18,760
2021
Doncaster
Keepmoat Stadium
15,231
6,968
2021
Newcastle
Kingston Park
10,200
6,736
2021
* 1975 had no official World Cup Final. Instead a special challenge match was played.
France
City
Stadium
Capacity
Highest Attendance
Years
Paris
Parc des Princes
48,229
30,368
1954 , 1972
Lyon
Stade de Gerland
25,000
10,250
1954 , 1972
Bordeaux
Stade Chaban Delmas
34,462
14,000
1954 , 1975
Marseille
Stade Vélodrome
67,394
20,748
1954 , 1972 , 1975
Nantes
Stade Marcel Saupin
1,880
13,000
1954
Toulouse
Stadium Municipal
33,150
37,471
1954 , 1972 , 1975 , 2000
Grenoble
Stade Lesdiguières
12,000
5,321
1972
Pau
Stade du Hameau
14,588
7,500
1972
Perpignan
Stade Gilbert Brutus
13,000
11,576
1972 , 1975 , 1985–88 , 1989–92 , 2013
Avignon
Parc des Sports
17,518
17,518
1985–88 , 2013
Carcassonne
Stade Albert Domec
10,000
10,288
1985–88 , 1989–92 , 2000
Albi
Stadium Municipal d'Albi
13,058
7,969
2000
Paris
Stade Sébastien Charléty
20,000
7,498
2000
Ireland
New Zealand
City
Stadium
Capacity
Highest Attendance
Years
Auckland
Carlaw Park
17,000
18,000
1968 , 1975 , 1977 , 1985–88
Christchurch
Addington Showground *
18,000
12,130
1975 , 1977 , 1985–88 , 1989–92 , 2017
Auckland
Eden Park
50,000
47,363
1985–88
Christchurch
Queen Elizabeth II Park
25,000
3,133
1989–92
Auckland
Mount Smart Stadium
25,000
30,003
1989–92 , 2017
Hamilton
Waikato Stadium
25,800
24,041
2017
Wellington
Wellington Regional Stadium
34,500
12,713
2017
Addington Showgrounds became Rugby League Park in 1997
Northern Ireland
Papua New Guinea
Lloyd Robson Oval was redeveloped into PNG's National Football Stadium in 2015.
Scotland
Wales
City
Stadium
Capacity
Highest Attendance
Years
Swansea
St Helens Rugby Ground
4,500
11,112
1975
Cardiff
Ninian Park
21,508
10,250
1995
Swansea
Vetch Field
11,475
15,385
1995
Cardiff
Millennium Stadium
73,931
45,052
2000 , 2013
Llanelli
Stradey Park
10,800
1,497
2000
Wrexham
Racecourse Ground
13,341
8,019
2000 , 2013
Neath
The Gnoll
6,000
3,270
2013
See also
References
Further reading
External links