Darlington’s Northern Echo Arena to Host Premiership Rugby Sevens Leg

Darlington’s Northern Echo Arena will host the fourth leg of the 2014 Premiership Rugby Sevens series, it has been announced today.

The announcement was made after Newcastle Falcons today announced they will be moving the 2nd August event from their Kingston Park Stadium.

The stadium is the largest dedicated club rugby venue in England. With a capacity of 27,500 it also boasts space for over 550 corporate guests, 1,500 car parking spaces and bars and catering outlets for all supporters.

The Falcons’ new 3G artificial rugby pitch at Kingston Park will be ready for the new Aviva Premiership Rugby season but not in time for the 7s event. Instead the event will take place at the home of Darlington Mowden Park RFC. 

Featuring Newcastle Falcons, Leicester Tigers, Sale Sharks and London Welsh, the event will see six fast-paced 7s matches between the four teams in a round robin tournament. 

The team that tops the standings will receive the Group stage silverware and along with the group runners-up will go forward to the Premiership 7s Series Finals at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday 8^th August.

Speaking about the announcement Darlington Mowden Park Arena Manager Danny Brown said: “We are delighted that the Northern Echo Arena has been chosen to host the Premiership Rugby 7s Series. This is a big event for the town of Darlington and it’s great that the Premiership Rugby 7s Series has been able to remain in the north east. We have a first class facility here and we can’t wait to show it off to the thousands that will attend and the many more watching live on BT Sport.”

Commenting on the venue switch Newcastle Falcons’ Managing Director Mick Hogan added: “The build process with our new 3G pitch has slipped slightly and over the weekend, it has become clear that its completion could not be guaranteed by 2^nd August. Rather than hurry the process that could result in shortcuts on the installation, we had no hesitation in proposing to Premiership Rugby that the event be moved to Darlington. 

“To have the best pitch in the Aviva Premiership Rugby for years to come remains our number one priority and by working with Mowden Park and using their superb facility, we do not have to take any unnecessary risks on that.”

“Darlington will be a great venue for the 7s. The full entertainment package planned will still take place and we believe more of our fans in the south of the region will now be able to come along. The venue is just off the A1 and there will be free parking for all supporters. Furthermore the club will be offering low cost bus travel for fans with details to follow in the next 48 hours.”

“The Darlington Arena is one of English club rugby’s hidden gems and we are delighted to be taking the fourth group stage of the Premiership Rugby 7s there at the start of next month,” said the Commercial Director at Premiership Rugby, Dominic Hayes.