Key workers will be given free tickets to one of the biggest sporting events held in Doncaster in 2021.
Organisers of the Rugby League World Cup 2021 have pledged to give away 20,021 tickets for the tournament - which includes three games hosted by Club Doncaster at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Jon Dutton, chief executive of RLWC2021, said: “Other sports, clubs, leagues and events have been acutely impacted by COVID-19 and our planning needs to be aligned and proportionate with the global crisis and respectful of more immediate needs. We have done various aspects of scenario planning and we believe the current plan is the most suitable at this point, however we know we are required to be flexible and adapt as and when appropriate.
“The team has made the unanimous decision to provide 20,021 free tickets to keyworkers in the UK as our way of saying thank you. The work, effort, dedication and sheer determination needs to be recognised and hopefully we can provide these local heroes and their families with something to look forward to next year.”
Tournament organsiers were due to announce plans for ticket sales to begin in the summer, but following the outbreak the organisers and the board have collectively agreed a new timeline allowing for flexibility around dates due to the uncertainty of global events.
In addition, as a thank you, the organisers have also revealed that they will make 20,021 free tickets available to those who work in health and social care and in other key sectors critical to the COVID-19 response.
Firstly, June 10 2020 will see the tournament celebrate 500 days to go until the opening fixture on 23 October 2021, at St James’ Park, Newcastle, where the England men’s team will take on Samoa.
The team bases, which includes Doncaster as a host venue, for the 21 nations involved in the three competitions will be revealed, in addition to a new tournament identity being made public.
Between this point and September, the organisers will detail the schedules for the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments, plus the announcement of ticket tiers and prices. Due to the current global situation, the organisers have decided not to put a date on these.
In September, the tournament will go on pre-sale to two groups – the rugby league family and corporate partners in group one and Host cities and venues, those residents within host cities and on venue databases in group two. This small window of opportunity will allow these set groups to purchase tickets before anyone else. Fans are encouraged to sign up via RLWC2021.com to ensure they are the first to receive news on tickets and timings.
With one year to go on 23 October 2020, for the first time in the tournament’s history, a public ballot will open. Anyone will be able to request tickets for as many individual fixtures as they wish until 27 November 2020.
December 2020 will see fans receive the results of the public ballot and tickets will then go on general sale in early 2021.
Please visit RLWC2021.com for more information and for details on how to sign up to the receive ticket alerts and all the latest news first.