Newcastle To Stage European Club Rugby Finals

Bilbao and Newcastle will host the Champions Cup, Challenge Cup and Continental Shield finals in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

As a result of the announcement, 2018 marks the first time the games will be staged outside traditional rugby union countries, with Spain’s national team 18th in the world rankings.

The two finals will be played at the San Mames Stadium, home of La Liga football side Athletic Bilbao in 2018, and Newcastle United’s St James’ Park in 2019.

Both cities will also stage the final of the European Continental Shield, a feeder competition for the Challenge Cup aimed at clubs from the likes of Russia, Spain, Germany and Belgium.

The cities’ bids were deemed successful by European Professional Club Rugby’s (EPCR) executive committee, following a competitive tender process.

According to EPCR, the economic impact generated for the city of Lyon from the staging of the 2016 finals weekend was estimated at €20.4m.

St James’ Park has previously held rugby matches, including a number of games for the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

Simon Halliday, EPCR chairman, commented: “We are very excited to be taking the best club rugby in the world to fans in what is largely a new market. Bilbao is an excellent destination which breaks new ground for our tournaments and we see this as a big step in the expansion of our sport across the continent. Fans have previously flocked to matches in Spain both in the European Cup and for last season’s TOP 14 final, and they will be sure of a unique, atmospheric weekend in 2018.

“Newcastle’s commitment to the bid also made it an easy decision to award them the finals in 2019, building on their significant experience of staging major sporting occasions including Rugby World Cup 2015 matches.”

Vincent Gaillard, EPCR director general added: “We had exceptional bids for the 2018 finals which is testimony to the transparent and detailed process that we have implemented. Bilbao is a state-of-the-art venue with a commitment to the financial and operational elements of our finals that will allow us to deliver outstanding rugby experiences in a new and exciting setting. Newcastle also gives us a top-class venue and a new city in England for the biggest matches in the European club game.

“To successfully engage with an unprecedented number of bidding cities over the last months shows the attractive proposition that our finals present and we see this a really positive sign for the future of European professional club rugby.”

Mick Hogan, managing director of Newcastle Rugby Limited, concluded: “We are thrilled that Newcastle has been chosen to host the 2019 European finals weekend. The Champions Cup is one of the biggest and most prestigious in world rugby and it is a great honour that the finals will be staged in our fantastic city.

“The successful bid is testament to the incredibly strong partnership that exists between Newcastle City Council, NewcastleGateshead Initiative, Newcastle United Football Club and Newcastle Rugby Limited. The partners all worked together so well in the past to successfully stage major sporting events such as Rugby World Cup 2015 matches, Super League Magic weekend and Olympic football.”

This season’s finals weekend will take place in Edinburgh.