EPCR 2021 finals set for Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
The European club rugby finals in 2021 will be staged at the hugely impressive Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, it has been announced.
The state-of-the-art North London venue, with a capacity of just over 62,000, will open its doors to rugby fans from all over the world on May 21-22 of that year for the Heineken Champions Cup and European Rugby Challenge Cup showpiece matches, adding club rugby’s greatest weekend to the list of premium sporting events there that already includes fixtures in the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League and the NFL.
As well as providing an outstanding experience for fans, Tottenham’s hosting proposition has promised to deliver a strong social and sporting legacy to the local community. Last season’s landmark Finals Weekend in Bilbao returned a total economic impact to the Basque Region of around €49m (£43.19m) as almost 84,000 supporters packed into San Mamés Stadium to enjoy compelling rugby action in a new and dynamic setting.
Tottenham’s bid proved successful following a robust and detailed tender process run by EPCR in conjunction with partners, The Sports Consultancy. It will be the seventh European Cup final to be played in England and the first to be held in London outside of Twickenham Stadium. Green ribbons are back on the trophy this season as leading global beer brand Heineken strengthened their relationship with European club rugby with a return to title partnership of the tournament recognised around the world as The One to Win.
Almost 80,000 fans have purchased tickets to date for the 2019 edition as the European rugby community gathers at Newcastle’s St James’ Park this weekend.
“We are very excited to be taking the best club rugby in the world to such an innovative and exciting stadium,” said Simon Halliday, EPCR Chairman. “There is already a real buzz about the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and it will continue the theme of new experiences for our fans in dynamic stadiums that can generate the kind of exceptional atmosphere that has become the hallmark of the Heineken Champions Cup.”