Saturday’s showpiece should open league up to the possibilities of a new world away from the national stadium
The Challenge Cup final’s temporary move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday was a major success.The Challenge Cup final’s temporary move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday was a major success.ou do not even need to step inside Wembley to understand rugby league’s lengthy and rich history with the national stadium.
The bigger priority for rugby league has always been keeping the cup final, the most important day in the calendar, in London. Thefinal belongs in the capital, allowing fans to descend from the north and have a big day out each year no matter who they support. But unlike 20 or 30 years ago, there are now options for the RFL to consider long term, as was underlined by the spectacle at Tottenham on Saturday.
The belief that there is life outside of Wembley is also reflected in the World Cup schedule this year. Previously, a home World Cup in England without a Wembley game would have been unthinkable. The 2013 event held the semi-final double-header there and in the 1995 version the old Wembley hosted the final, but this year the venue has been overlooked. The London option is, as mentioned, the Emirates Stadium for the men’s semi-finals, with the final at Old Trafford.
Creating a situation where demand exceeds supply could have a positive knock-on effect, too, and the fact that tickets are extremely affordable for the World Cup this year – adults can watch the semi-final at the Emirates Stadium for as little as £20 – could set the tone for a tweak in Challenge Cup prices, with ticket prices for the final on Saturday as high as £70.
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