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Leeds City Council to discuss economic benefits as the city hosts the Rugby World Cup 2015

Leeds City Council’s executive board this week (Friday February 14) will recommend that officers explore how to maximise the potential benefits of hosting the Rugby World Cup 2015 and continue the legacy after the event.

Leeds has been selected alongside 10 other locations to be a host city for one of the high profile Rugby World Cup 2015, with two games to be held at Elland Road.

In September 2015, fans from many different nations will be staying in the city and up to 80,000 spectators attending the games.

In the last two years, Leeds has hosted an Olympic team and the torch relay in 2012, the Rugby League World Cup and BBC Sports Personality in 2013 and this year will host the world’s largest annual sporting event, the Grand Depart of the Tour de France.

Hosting Rugby World Cup 2015 will build on this sporting heritage and continue to raise the profile of the city both nationally and internationally, according to the council.

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Leeds City Council executive board member with responsibility for leisure and skills said: “It is fantastic to have another major global sporting event coming to Leeds, and bringing new tourists and plenty of economic benefits to our city.

“To be the only location in Yorkshire to have host city rights is a real honour and one which we want to take forward and ensure we make the most of the tournament for the full time it is here.

“We have also just been confirmed as on the shortlist for team bases – so we may have one or more teams staying in the city during the tournament as well.

“We want to continue the momentum from the Tour de France and ensure the buzz in the city is taking through into 2015 on the countdown to Rugby World Cup 2015.”

Tickets for the tournament will go on sale later this year and to keep updated with the latest information about Rugby World Cup 2015 fans can join The Front Row at http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/signup/index.html

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .