Newcastle Quayside set to host Rugby League World Cup Fans this weekend
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
and live on Freeview channel 276
Newcastle’s iconic Quayside will be home to Rugby fans from across the world this weekend when the Rugby League World Cup gets underway with England vs Samoa at St James’ Park. As part of the ceremony the even organisers have teamed up with Newcastle City Council to host a fan zone in the city.
The fan village will take over Newcastle’s Quayside from the Tyne Bridge to Millennium Bridge and will include live music from some of the top acts across the North East, family activities as well as food and drink. It will be hosted over Friday, October 14 and Saturday, October 15.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe second day will see Sky Sports’ Keith Downie take the stage and join event host Jon Corbett to discuss highlights, analysis and predictions. Downie is best known for his reporting on North East football clubs for Sky Sports News.
Hip-hop band Hip Hop Hooray will headline the event on Friday evening with the eight-piece expected to use tracks from Snoop Dogg, Outkast, Jay Z, Run DMC, Kanye West and more to create an explosive live set.
The second day of the fanzone will see Beth Macari hit the stage. The North East based soul singer is a well known name on the local festival circuit with shows at Lindisfarne Festival and South Tyneside Festival where she supported Will Young.
Other bands The National Anthem and The Redrooms are also set to play sets to rugby fans as England supporters take over Newcastle for the opening game of the tournament. Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Jamie Lee Harrison and South Shields local Courtney Dixon will also perform.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdEngland’s opening game against Samoa is scheduled to be played at 2:30pm at St James’ Park with coverage coming from BBC One and BBC iPlayer for fans across the UK.Coverage will start at 1:15am before Australia vs Fiji at Headingley is shown on BBC Two from 19:00.
Limited tickets remain available through the tournament’s ticket portal. Newcastle is hosting a further three fixtures at Kingston Park Stadium, home to the Newcastle Falcons.