2020 Rugby League Ashes tickets on sale

Tickets have today gone on sale for Rugby League’s first Ashes series in 17 years.

The three-match series kicks off at the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday 31 October (KO 2.30pm), with the second match being staged at Elland Road, Leeds, a week later (Saturday 7 November, 2.30pm).

And Rugby League will break new ground by playing the third and final game at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Saturday 14 November (5.30pm).

All three games will be broadcast live by the BBC.

The 2020 series will be the 40th Rugby League Ashes series since the term was first used in 1908, and will take place 50 years since the Ashes were last won by an England or Great Britain side back in 1970.

This will be the Kangaroos’ first visit to these shores since 2016’s Four Nations series, won by Australia who defeated England 36-18 at London’s Olympic Stadium. And the Bolton match will be the first between the two countries since the 2017 World Cup Final – a titanic battle in Brisbane which Australia edged 6-0 to reclaim their ‘World Champions’ tag.

Since then England have defeated New Zealand on neutral ground in Denver, USA, and were triumphant at home against the same opposition in 2018, winning the three-match series 2-1.

RFL Chief Executive, Ralph Rimmer, said:
“We are thrilled to be welcoming Australia back to this country for the first time since 2016. International Rugby League is the pinnacle of our game and some of the best rugby players on the planet will be involved.

“We hope the venues we have chosen, with a split between Lancashire, Yorkshire and London, will be popular both with regular Rugby League supporters and also the broader sporting public. The University of Bolton Stadium and Elland Road have both staged successful Rugby League events in recent years, and it’s exciting for us to be taking a first fixture to the stunning Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

“England were just an ankle tap away from taking the 2017 World Cup Final against Australia into extra time and last year’s success against New Zealand suggests that this will be a series not to be missed.”

Following England’s defeat in the 2017 World Cup Final, the RFL established the England Performance Unit with the aim of developing more world-class players to deliver world-class performance at the 2021 World Cup.

Kevin Sinfield MBE, the RFL’s Rugby Director who heads the England Performance Unit, added:
“We showed a lot of skill and courage in the 2017 final, and proved to ourselves and the world that we are now within touching distance of the world’s number one.

“The prospect of taking on the touring Kangaroos in 2020, and putting a marker down for 2021 World Cup selection, will give every aspiring England international added incentive next season. These are exciting times for international Rugby League.”

Todd Greenberg, the CEO of Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL), said: “It will be wonderful to see the Kangaroos involved in another Ashes series. International Rugby League has been going through an incredible period and an Ashes series will be another highlight.

“The Ashes has such history in our game and to see it return will be very special. It will also build some strong momentum into the 2021 World Cup.”

Tickets, priced from only £20 for adults and £10 for under 16s areavailable online now.

Hospitality packages for the three tests will be available to purchase in the New Year.