Leeds’ Millennium Square appointed as Official Fanzone for Rugby World Cup

Thousands of rugby union fans will be able to join in the scrum on Millennium Square when Leeds becomes host of several upcoming World Cup 2015 matches.

The square, which has a capacity of 5,000, will be the official site of Leeds’s Fanzone for the international tournament.

As well as broadcasting a handful of live games on the big screen, there will be food, drink and entertainment facilities throughout the Fanzone, which is free to access.

With Rugby World Cup 2015 kicking off from September 18 to October 31 this year, Leeds will be hosting two games at Elland Road as part of a weekend of Rugby on 26-27 September.

In the first game on Saturday September 26, Italy will go against against Canada, and Scotland will play the USA on Sunday September 27 at 2.30pm at Elland Road, one of 13 match venues at Rugby World Cup 2015.

This will undoubtedly attract thousands of visitors to the city over the course of the tournament, and therefore provide an economic boost for local bars, restaurants, retailers and other city-based businesses.

As well as the Fanzone and tournament itself, Leeds will likely get an influx of fans when the Webb Ellis Cup visits different locations within city from August 7-8. Once again, providing businesses with an opportunity to to capitalize on the increased number of consumers.

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Leeds City Council’s executive member for digital and creative technologies, culture and skills, said: “Millennium Square is the perfect place for Leeds’s official Fanzone and with thousands of fans there getting into the spirit, the atmosphere for the games will be amazing.

“The excitement for the tournament is really building across the city now and with the trophy itself coming to Leeds later this summer too, that’s going to create even more of a buzz. It incredible that Leeds will be hosting yet another world class sporting event and I’m sure Rugby World Cup 2015 will leave behind a lasting and memorable legacy.”

Debbie Jevans, chief executive of England Rugby 2015, added: “With less than six months to go we are delighted to announce the locations of the Official Fanzones, alongside details of the 100 day Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour across the UK and Ireland.

“The countdown to Rugby World Cup 2015 is on and fans can now really begin to plan their Tournament experience, be it through watching the matches, through Fanzones, the Festival of Rugby and the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour. The Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour will be the perfect opportunity to excite and engage fans across the UK and Ireland and make 2015 feel like the year of the rugby nation.”