Celebrating The Rugby World Cup In The East Mids
3 October 2015, 05:58 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50
One of the biggest sporting events in the world is coming to England and Leicester looks set to benefit from the Rugby World Cup.
Overall 48 matches will take place in 11 cities - including two in Leicester, with the Leicester City Ground hosting.
Leicester also has a Fanzone at Victoria with activities, food and big screens for fans for watch the matches.
The games and the fanzone are predicted to bring close to £60million pounds into the city. Hotels, restaurants and shops are all expected to get a boost.
Here is some useful information if you want to follow the rugby in the East Midlands:
Our Matches
Leicester - Leicester City Ground
4th October – Argentina V Tonga
6th October – Canada V Romania
11th October – Argentina V Namibia
Players To Watch?
If you are looking for someone local to get behind, there are three Leicester Tigers in the England squad. Brothers Tom Youngs and Ben Youngs, and Dan Coles. Dan was born and raised in Leicester, going to Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College. Also centre Jonathan Joseph was born in Derby.
Fanzones
Leicester - Victoria Park - open 3rd October to 11th October
Soak up the atmosphere of the tournament without a ticket. This is the place in Leicester to watch the games on a giant 10m x 5.5m screen. You can get everything you need right there on site – hot and cold food, drinks, as well as a licensed bar.
Free entry.
Festival of Rugby
Events will be put on by artists and performers representing the 5 teams playing in Leicester - Argentina, Canada, Namibia, Romania and Tonga.
Live Music Stage – Humberstone Gate
Carnival and Samba – High St
Performance Tent – Jubilee Square
Visual Arts Installations – Humberstone Gate, Clock Tower and Jubilee Square.
Other Activities - Fanzone in Victoria Park and before each match - outside the King Power Stadium.
Take a look at the full events programme here.
Travel and parking
Services on East Midlands Trains are expected to be really busy over the weekend. Although hundreds of extra seats are being provided on trains between London and Leicester, passengers are advised to arrive at least 30 minutes before their train is due to depart - both before and after the games. Extra staff will be on hand at stations to help passengers. Live train information and service updates here.
There's a number of special Park and Ride services to help ease congestion on the roads during the Rugby World Cup. Special services will run from the Birstall park and ride site and from Oadby Racecourse on match days, with shuttle buses travelling between the stadium, the Fanzone at Victoria Park, and the car parks.
Additional parking has also been made available at the Saffron Lane athletics track – which is a 15-minute walk from the stadium.
