England v Australia 2025 - coming to the UK?

[sam4731]

1 minute ago, Dave T said:

My only memory of that was that it was absolute chaos after the match with 40k in. 

I just walked from there to Euston instead.

When booking tickets, people aren't planning there route post match. Their planning how to get there.

[Dave T]

1 minute ago, sam4731 said:

When booking tickets, people aren't planning there route post match. Their planning how to get there.

What's that based on? Why do you think people don't plan on getting home?

[gingerjon]

3 minutes ago, sam4731 said:

When booking tickets, people aren't planning there route post match. Their planning how to get there.

It is absolutely part of the equation.

[Damien]

I think a 60k London venue i.e Spurs or Etihad is a decent target and a good statement of intent that we are going big. Even at that it would be a push to sellout but over 45k would be great. It has to be the opener though.

Elland Road is a safe choice. In terms of big stadiums it's relatively small at 37k and should sell out.

Everton or the Etihad are both 52/53k and I think we would do well at both as the North West venue.

I do think 120k across the 3 games is a very achievable goal and this follows the tried and tested approach. If God forbid we won the opener then all gloves are off and the other two games sellout I think.

Edited October 28, 2024 by Damien

[Odsal Outlaw]

This would be great if true, on the one hand dates and grounds should be locked in already for Aus, and I had considered travelling over for it … BUT, it makes absolute sense to reverse it to be located in England with the WC the year after in Aus. Avoids us having two fallow years. And they have the PC over there which gives them good international content.

[MrPosh]

10 minutes ago, Dave T said:

My only memory of that was that it was absolute chaos after the match with 40k in. 

I just walked from there to Euston instead.

Spurs is pretty easy for people who know that London has railways, as well as the Tube.

[JonM]

This is assuming it's a 3 match series of course. One of the players' cousins may be getting married or something.

The piece also mentions a 2030 World Cup in South Africa. 

[Tommygilf]

5 minutes ago, Dave T said:

What's that based on? Why do you think people don't plan on getting home?

It's the single biggest aspect of whether I'm going to stay over or get a train home etc...

[WN83]

2 minutes ago, Damien said:

I think a 60k London venue i.e Spurs or Etihad is a decent target and a good statement of intent that we are going big. Even at that it would be a push to sellout but over 45k would be great. It has to be the opener though.

Elland Road is a safe choice. In terms of big stadiums it's relatively small at 37k and should sell out.

Everton or the Etihad are both 52/53k and I think we would do well at both as the North West venue.

I do think 120k across the 3 games is a very achievable goal and this follows the tried and tested approach. If God forbid we won the opener then all gloves are off and the other two games sellout I think.

All that is spot on IMO. As much as it's a dump, Elland Road should be nailed on so we know we're guaranteed a sell out. That should be the only safe choice in the series and then they need to show some ambition. Spurs is an absolute must for me. It's a venue that is that good people will go just for the experience. I'd be happy with Everton/Man City but I still wouldn't be against Old Trafford as a venue for the North West. It isn't the Etihad or the new Everton ground but it's got tradition and tradition in hosting Rugby League matches. If that was a decider (a big if) I think you get 60,000 plus on, if not a full house.

I just hope to god we don't find out it's on and they then stick with Headingley, Wigan and Saints/Warrington/Huddersfield. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest because this current lot seem to be happy to do things on a shoe string and not have to put any work in. 

[JonM]

4 minutes ago, WN83 said:

I'd be happy with Everton/Man City but I still wouldn't be against Old Trafford as a venue for the North West.

The Aussies will use the lack of space round the pitch as a reason why it's too dangerous to play there.

[Jack GB]

8 minutes ago, WN83 said:

All that is spot on IMO. As much as it's a dump, Elland Road should be nailed on so we know we're guaranteed a sell out. That should be the only safe choice in the series and then they need to show some ambition. Spurs is an absolute must for me. It's a venue that is that good people will go just for the experience. I'd be happy with Everton/Man City but I still wouldn't be against Old Trafford as a venue for the North West. It isn't the Etihad or the new Everton ground but it's got tradition and tradition in hosting Rugby League matches. If that was a decider (a big if) I think you get 60,000 plus on, if not a full house.

I just hope to god we don't find out it's on and they then stick with Headingley, Wigan and Saints/Warrington/Huddersfield. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest because this current lot seem to be happy to do things on a shoe string and not have to put any work in. 

You forgot Hull...

I would love to see a game at Newcastle again - that WC opener for me was one of the best days out ive had for RL in a long time (maybe the novelty of Newcastle with the massive win nailed it)

I do agree though we have to have a London test... 

London (Tottenham or Arsenal) - Elland Rd - New Everton. (If they want us - if not - not sure - Etihad or OT?)

I just really wouldnt be surprised with a safer option that would include London, Elland Rd then maybe Wigan/Bolton.

 

Edited October 28, 2024 by Jack GB

[Dave T]

6 minutes ago, Damien said:

I think a 60k London venue i.e Spurs or Etihad is a decent target and a good statement of intent that we are going big. Even at that it would be a push to sellout but over 45k would be great. It has to be the opener though.

Elland Road is a safe choice. In terms of big stadiums it's relatively small at 37k and should sell out.

Everton or the Etihad are both 52/53k and I think we would do well at both as the North West venue.

I do think 120k across the 3 games is a very achievable goal and this follows the tried and tested approach. If God forbid we won the opener then all gloves are off and the other two games sellout I think.

Agree with all of the above, but I do have one challenge on this point. This is quoted quite a lot and I'm not sure it's true tbh. I haven't fully developed my view on this but I'm mot convinced it needs to be the opener.

The history of London crowds appears a little random, but I'm not sure it's as random as we think.

Whilst it is true that the 1990 and 1994 Ashes series kicked off at Wembley, it's important to remember that they were part of long tours. By the time we played the Aussies in front of 54k in 1990, they'd played in front of 70k fans in England, including 25k for a match versus Wigan. It was broadly the same in 1994.

The atmosphere has been boosted by that game yesterday, it's probably fair to say that there is no better promotion than playing matches. Where we have started cold (1995 WC, 1997 Ashes and 2000 WC) for example we have had low crowds. With that in mind, I'm not against London being the 2nd Test, but even better would be a high profile warmup or two to create a buzz.

[Dave T]

14 minutes ago, MrPosh said:

Spurs is pretty easy for people who know that London has railways, as well as the Tube.

Haven't been yet, the 2020 Ashes would have been my first trip.

[Dave T]

10 minutes ago, WN83 said:

 

I just hope to god we don't find out it's on and they then stick with Headingley, Wigan and Saints/Warrington/Huddersfield. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest because this current lot seem to be happy to do things on a shoe string and not have to put any work in. 

That isn't based on anything. 

Every series including Aus v NZ has used marquee grounds for years now. Wembley, Olympic St, Anfield, Elland Rd, Manchester City etc. 

The last Ashes had Spurs, Bolton and Elland Rd booked.

[phiggins]

2 hours ago, Dave T said:

A perfect lineup would be Spurs, Man City and Elland Rd.

Although Newcastle and Everton would be very good choices.

I'd expect Spurs, Bolton and Elland Rd which was the 2020 plan.

I'd be happy with that, provided it is in that order. 

[gingerjon]

 

[Father Gascoigne]

26 minutes ago, Damien said:

I think a 60k London venue i.e Spurs or Etihad is a decent target and a good statement of intent that we are going big. Even at that it would be a push to sellout but over 45k would be great. It has to be the opener though.

Elland Road is a safe choice. In terms of big stadiums it's relatively small at 37k and should sell out.

Everton or the Etihad are both 52/53k and I think we would do well at both as the North West venue.

I do think 120k across the 3 games is a very achievable goal and this follows the tried and tested approach. If God forbid we won the opener then all gloves are off and the other two games sellout I think.

Etihad Stadium will be 62,000 by mid-year next year. The entire project will be done by 2026 but if I recall correctly the stand will be complete in time for the 2025/26 season. 

[Chrispmartha]

Glad I didn’t finalise my plans to visit family in Sydney next year, might just postpone it till the WC!

 

[Damien]

Just now, Dave T said:

Agree with all of the above, but I do have one challenge on this point. This is quoted quite a lot and I'm not sure it's true tbh. I haven't fully developed my view on this but I'm mot convinced it needs to be the opener.

The history of London crowds appears a little random, but I'm not sure it's as random as we think.

Whilst it is true that the 1990 and 1994 Ashes series kicked off at Wembley, it's important to remember that they were part of long tours. By the time we played the Aussies in front of 54k in 1990, they'd played in front of 70k fans in England, including 25k for a match versus Wigan. It was broadly the same in 1994.

The atmosphere has been boosted by that game yesterday, it's probably fair to say that there is no better promotion than playing matches. Where we have started cold (1995 WC, 1997 Ashes and 2000 WC) for example we have had low crowds. With that in mind, I'm not against London being the 2nd Test, but even better would be a high profile warmup or two to create a buzz.

London provides the big opener and gets into the national conscience. For me it's a statement. It also gets the media on board, relatively speaking for RL, in a way we don't really get for other locations. That flows on to subsequent matches in my opinion.

London 2nd or 3rd up runs the risk too of Northern fans waiting and seeing what happens and potentially not bothering. Obviously if we won a game and a decider was in London it's different but it's a gamble that may backfire and we end up with a damp squib with fans not traveling.

Thinking about it some more I think I would still rather see a London test than not, particularly as we havent had one for so long, but for me it's not the optimum approach and comes with more risks, particularly if its a dead rubber decider.

[HawkMan]

Tottenham are already advertising hospitality for 2025 NFL games for October/November,  plus Spurs likely EPL and UEFA games likely taking place,  the RFL if they want Tottenham had better book pronto,  can't do it in new year, too late I suspect.

https://www.eventmasters.co.uk/nfl-london-hospitality/nfl-hospitality-2025.html

Edited October 28, 2024 by HawkMan

[Dave T]

2 minutes ago, Damien said:

London provides the big opener and gets into the national conscience. For me it's a statement. It also gets the media on board, relatively speaking for RL, in a way we don't really get for other locations. That flows on to subsequent matches in my opinion.

London 2nd or 3rd up runs the risk too of Northern fans waiting and seeing what happens and potentially not bothering. Obviously if we won a game and a decider was in London it's different but it's a gamble that may backfire and we end up with a damp squib with fans not traveling.

Thinking about it some more I think I would still rather see a London test than not, particularly as we havent had one for so long, but for me it's not the optimum approach and comes with more risks, particularly if its a dead rubber decider.

I defo wouldn't have it 3rd, but I think 2nd is fine, and potentially better.

But I'd probably focus on warmup and getting something going there rather than worrying too much about 1st or 2nd test for London.

[Father Gascoigne]

1 minute ago, HawkMan said:

Tottenham are already advertising hospitality for 2025 NFL games for October/November,  plus Spurs likely EPL and UEFA games likely taking place,  the RFLM if they want Tottenham had better book pronto,  can't do it in new year, too late I suspect.

https://www.eventmasters.co.uk/nfl-london-hospitality/nfl-hospitality-2025.html

The NFL plays on the underside surface. Rugby league is played on grass, the surface that Tottenham uses. There's an international break every month from September to November. 

Scheduling shouldn't be much of an issue, and if they're in negotiations right now, they'll either be able to schedule it around the international break or when Spurs play away. The NFL should have no bearing as it won't affect the playing surface. They could feasibly host a Test and the NFL on the same weekend. 

[WN83]

15 minutes ago, Dave T said:

That isn't based on anything. 

Every series including Aus v NZ has used marquee grounds for years now. Wembley, Olympic St, Anfield, Elland Rd, Manchester City etc. 

The last Ashes had Spurs, Bolton and Elland Rd booked.

Are the same guys making the decisions as back then though? The recent history has been to go to small venues and spend nothing on building an event but granted, it's been Tonga and Samoa. I don't think they will go with 3 safe options but I could see them going with something like Elland Road, a test in London and then somewhere like Wigan or Bolton, which would be the same/similar as that 2020 plan, which to me is still a bit 'safe'. 

I'd take 3 tests on St Pats field if it's on though. 

Edited October 28, 2024 by WN83

[sam4731]

39 minutes ago, Dave T said:

What's that based on? Why do you think people don't plan on getting home?

I just think that as long as people know that they can get there easily, they expect to get home easily.

[HawkMan]

2 minutes ago, Father Gascoigne said:

The NFL plays on the underside surface. Rugby league is played on grass, the surface that Tottenham uses. There's an international break every month from September to November. 

Scheduling shouldn't be much of an issue, and if they're in negotiations right now, they'll either be able to schedule it around the international break or when Spurs play away. The NFL should have no bearing as it won't affect the playing surface. They could feasibly host a Test and the NFL on the same weekend. 

I wasnt thinking of the surface, but the prep goes into putting branding in for NFL must take a few days to complete,  so they couldn't hold RL and NFL same weekend. Anyway if Tottenham have all NFL booked up would they particularly want to hold another event in a crowded period.