THE eyes of the sporting world will be on the North-East in 2021 after the region was successful in its bid to host Rugby League World Cup matches, it has been revealed this morning.

The Tees Valley and Newcastle have been successful in their bid to host Rugby League World Cup games when the global tournament comes to England in two years’ time.

York has also been chosen as one of the major hubs for the women’s tournament. The city will stage group games and both semi-finals.

St James' Park in Newcastle has been chosen as the venue for the opening ceremony and England's opening match to kick-off the tournament.

Jon Dutton, chief executive of RLWC: "We wanted to open in a vibrant city - the stadium is in the heart of the city. Newcastle is vastly becoming a city of rugby. We are really pleased we are starting the tournament in Newcastle."

Middlesbrough Football Club's Riverside Stadium as also been chosen as a host venue.

The Northern Echo:

Schoolchildren backing the bid for Tees Valley to be a Rugby League World Cup host

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: "This is a major coup for the Tees Valley, backed by a fantastic bid that showed why we would be a perfect fit for the Rugby League World Cup. We're already punching above our weight and this will see our region beamed into the living rooms of sports fans across the world and boost tourist numbers.

"The last time we had a World Cup match in the Tees Valley was 1966, when North Korea beat Italy at Ayresome Park. Now, 55 years later, sports fans will be able to come through the famous Ayresome gates, this time at the Riverside, once again to watch a World Cup game."

Jon Dutton, chief executive of RLWC added: "We are extremely excited to see the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough host a men's fixture at the RLWC.

"We are looking forward to bringing world class rugby league to the region. The Tees Valley partners put together a compelling bid and it will be fantastic to see the community having the opportunity to engage with the tournament over the next 1,000 days."

The Northern Echo:

David Joyes, Middlesbrough Football Club's chief financial officer said: "We are very keen to establish the Riverside further, not just as a brilliant matchday venue, because it really is an amazing asset and amazing stadium. We've got Take That coming in the summer and we hope to do an exceptional job with that, and we'll see what other concerts follow after that, but in the lead up to the World Cup we hope to see some more Rugby League games here, whether that be autumn internationals or even Challenge Cup games."

The initial bid, submitted last year, included a proposal to host international group games and a semi-final in the men's competition as well as to provide a base for the Australian National Rugby League Team.

Organisers believe the region will receive an economic boost of up to £8m as a result of the successful bid, as well as attracting tourists from across the world to the area.

The Rugby League World Cup 2021 bid is being put together by a partnership of the Tees Valley Combined Authority, Middlesbrough Council, Darlington Borough Council, Middlesbrough Football Club, and Darlington Mowden Park RFC.

A total of 40 applicants met last July's deadline to submit bids.

The tournament will include 31 matches in the men's tournament, whilst the women's and wheelchair events will be run alongside for the first time, resulting in a total of 32 teams competing across 64 games in two months from October 27, 2021.

Tournament organisers previously revealed 80 per cent of the men's fixtures will be played in the so-called Northern Powerhouse as a result of Government backing worth £25m, including a £10m legacy pledge.