Hull KR to Host World Club Challenge at Rival's Stadium
Hull KR will stage the World Club Challenge at the MKM Stadium, home of rivals Hull FC, early next year. This decision comes after the Robins won the Super League trophy for the first time last month, earning the chance to face NRL champions Brisbane Broncos.
Decision to Move Venue
The match is set for Thursday, February 19, but will not be played at Hull KR's usual ground, Craven Park. Chief executive Paul Lakin explained the choice to hold the event in a larger stadium.
“It was definitely a consideration to play it at home but it became a bit of a no-brainer. You want to hold it in the biggest stadium possible for as many people to see the best players in the world. We felt the World Club Challenge deserved a bigger platform.”
Lakin added that staying at Craven Park would limit attendance, causing frustration among fans unable to get tickets. The MKM Stadium, with its greater capacity, is expected to sell out.
“If we'd kept it at our ground, a lot of the conversation would have been about how many people couldn't get in. That would have created a lot of frustration, whereas this is a good-sized stadium that we will undoubtedly sell out.”
Significance for Hull KR
This will be the first time Hull KR competes in the World Club Challenge, making the fixture a historic occasion for the club. Fans hoping to watch Reece Walsh and the Brisbane Broncos at Craven Park will now travel across the city for this unique event.
“We're keeping it in our city, which was the number one priority. That wasn't easy because Hull City are playing at the ground on the Saturday.”
Summary
Hull KR’s strategic move to host the World Club Challenge at the MKM Stadium prioritizes fan access and showcases the event on a larger stage, marking a historic milestone for the club.