Guide to the VENUES
ETIHAD STADIUM
Tenants: Manchester City. Manchester may only host one game but it could be a cracker as England head into the final pool game with Uruguay knowing they are likely to have to rack up a mammoth score to confirm qualification for the knockout stages.
Did you know? In 2008, boxer Ricky Hatton defended his light-welterweight world titles here against Juan Lazcano.
VILLA PARK
Tenants: Aston Villa. Has played host to just about every sport, including rugby union, with New Zealand winning here against Midlands sides in the Twenties and Fifties. South Africa and Australia play here versus Samoa and Uruguay respectively.
Did you know? The highest attendance was 76,588 in 1946 in an FA Cup tie between Villa and Derby.
KINGSHOLM
Tenants: Gloucester Rugby. The 16,500-capacity ground, which will host four pool fixtures, was England’s home before they settled at Twickenham and it played host to its first Test way back in 1900 when Wales beat the home side 13-3.
Did you know? The ground is also known as ‘Castle Grim’ after the estate where it is built.
MILLENNIUM STADIUM
Tenants: Wales rugby and football team. Considered by many to be the finest ground in world rugby, the Millennium Stadium will host eight games during the tournament. Ireland and France play in what is likely to be a shootout for top spot of Pool D, and two quarter-finals will be held there.
Did you know? More than 500,000 supporters are scheduled to watch games here.
SANDY PARK
Tenants: Exeter Chiefs. Having only been built in 2006, Sandy Park is one of the newest stadiums on show at the Rugby World Cup. Since moving into their new home the Aviva Premiership side have lifted the Anglo-Welsh Cup in 2014 after defeating Northampton Saints.
Did you know? Exeter Chiefs, founded in 1871, are one of the oldest clubs in English rugby.
WEMBLEY
Tenants: England football team. For six weeks the home of English football will open its doors to the world of rugby. With a capacity of 90,000, the venue will be one of the standout grounds of the tourn ament.
Did you know? Last year a match between Harlequins and Saracens broke the world record for the largest ever club rugby crowd, with 83,889 spectators present.
TWICKENHAM
Tenants: England rugby union team. The home of English rugby, Twickenham will host 10 matches including the opening game a nd final. The biggest dedicated rugby ground in the world, Twickenham hosted its first international in 1910, a year after it was opened. England have called it home ever since and the hosts will play three of their four pool games in the stadium, including their two crunch games with Wales and Australia.
Did you know? Before the ground was bought, it was used to grow cabbages, hence the affectionate nickname ‘The Cabbage Patch’.
ST JAMES’ PARK
Tenants: Newcastle United. Based in Newcastle’s centre, the atmospheric stadium is sure to be a favourite with supporters. Union will grace the ground for the first time at the tournament, with Scotland playing here against South Africa and Samoa.
Did you know? The first rugby league Test victory by Great Britain was played here in 1908 against Australian Kangaroos.
BRIGHTON
Tenants: Brighton & Hove Albion. Completed in 2011 at a cost of £93million, the Brighton Community Stadium, also known as the Amex, will host two World Cup matches over one weekend during the pool stages of the tournament.
Did you know? It is the only venue to be built in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
ELLAND ROAD
Tenants: Leeds United. Deep in rugby league territory, Elland Road has hosted rugby union before, with South Africa beating England North in 1992. The ground, used by Leeds since 1919, will host two matches, with Canada and USA hoping to upset Italy and Scotland respectively.
Did you know? In 1920, Yorkshire Amateurs sold Elland Road to Leeds United for £250.
KING POWER STADIUM
Tenants: Leicester City. There was an outcry when the ground was chosen — because Leicester Tigers’ Welford Road ground had been overlooked for not meeting certain requirements. Argentina play here against Tonga and Namibia.
Did you know? The stadium was officially opened by former Leicester striker Gary Lineker in July 2002.
STADIUM MK
Tenants: Milton Keynes Dons. No stranger to big events, stadium mk hosted football matches at the 2012 Olympics. Club rugby has already graced the turf; Northampton Saints and Saracens have used the stadium for European clashes. France entertain Canada in the first of three games here.
Did you know? The south stand is known as the Cowshed, named after a local sculpture.
OLYMPIC STADIUM
Tenants: West Ham United from next season. The stadium has undergone a dramatic facelift since Usain Bolt and Jessica Ennis-Hill reigned supreme in 2012. Now a 54,000-capacity arena, it will host five games, including New Zealand’s tussle with Namibia.
Did you know? The first rugby match here, Samoa-Barbarians last month, was delayed when the sprinkler system came on.