Olympic Stadium Could be Used for 2015 Rugby World Cup

September 18, 2012

The Olympic Stadium could host matches at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, according to tournament organisers.

Organisers would like to build on the success of the London Games as they prepare for England’s next major sporting event, which will take place in three years’ time.

“You would be mad not to include it as part of your thinking,” said Ross Young, Chief Operating Officer of England’s organising committee.

If a tenant for the stadium is found before the list of 10 to 12 Rugby World Cup stadiums are chosen at the start of next year, the iconic arena could feature in 2015.

Football stadiums like Old Trafford, Anfield and Wembley are expected to host matches, alongside Twickenham and Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.

Leicester Tigers’ home, Welford Road, and Gloucester Rugby’s Kingsholm are the only club rugby venues that have expressed an interest in staging games.

“To get as near as we can to the three million ticket sales, we have to engage with football clubs because they are the only ones who are going to give us the capacity to drive those numbers,” Young said.{jcomments on}