Rugby league heading to Alexander Stadium

A NEW sport will be heading to Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium complex after the city’s successful hosting of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Rugby league will be staged after a partnership was agreed between the Midlands Hurricanes and Birmingham City Council.

The Hurricanes, who compete in League One, will play their home fixtures during the 2023 season at the Perry Barr venue and will start with a tie against Cornwall on February 19.

The club will use the community pitch next to the main stadium.

The Hurricanes join a growing roster of partners and uses secured by the council for the revamped stadium.

It was designed to give the venue a year-round purpose after it hosted the athletics programme and the opening and closing ceremonies for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Greg Wood, Midlands Hurricanes CEO, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have agreed the partnership with the stadium to make it the home of the Hurricanes going forward.

“Our ambition as a club is to grow the sport in the Midlands and by having such a prestigious venue as our hub, it gives a real focal point for the team, community and hopefully the region to get behind.”

Other organisations set to have a presence at the stadium include Birmingham City University, UK Athletics and Birchfield Harriers Athletics Club.

City council leader Cllr Ian Ward said: “We are delighted to welcome the Midlands Hurricanes to the Alexander Stadium.

“Rugby league is an exciting sport, as demonstrated by the recent World Cup that was staged here in England.

“The Hurricanes have an ambition to grow the sport in the city and wider region, which is something that reflects our own aims to improve levels of participation in sport and physical activity.

“The stadium will provide the club with a world-class base for their operations.”