Host cities for 2020 and 2021 European finals to be appointed simultaneously
December 6, 2017
European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) have announced that they will appoint host cities for both the 2020 and 2021 EPCR finals weekends together next year after unprecedented interest in staging the events. An announcement is expected in summer 2018.
The pan-European appeal of the showpiece matches in the Champions Cup, Challenge Cup and Continental Shield was highlighted earlier this year with 18 expressions of interest received from across Europe for the 2020 finals.
The next two editions will be held in Bilbao and Newcastle respectively, with more than 48,000 tickets already snapped up for next May’s Finals weekend at San Mamés Stadium.
EPCR Marketing and Commercial Director, Carsten Couchouron, said: “A range of cities have engaged with our robust and detailed bidding process in recent years and we have been innovative with our decisions for venues which have helped to continually develop the footprint of our competitions.
“We welcome submissions for venues in both traditional and emerging rugby markets and hope that by running the 2020 and 2021 bids together, we will have the chance to engage with a range of cities to provide the very best venues for fans to enjoy European club rugby’s blue riband event.”
The simultaneous bidding and assessment processes will again be conducted with The Sports Consultancy. Parties who have already expressed an interest have until early 2018 to formalise their applications.