Tournament chief executive Jon Dutton has spoken of his optimism for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup despite the lingering impact of the coronavirus pandemic as the 12-month countdown began.
Dutton remains confident crowds will return in time for the start of the 61-match tournament starting October 23, 2021, as organisers launched a public ticket ballot to mark the occasion.
“One year to go is a really seminal moment for us, a critical milestone on quite a long journey so far,” Dutton told a media briefing.
To celebrate ‘one year to go’, organisers have also released “The Power of Together” declaration by Manchester poet Tony Walsh, aka Longfella.
“Themes like passion and a sense of community are often features of my poetry and few sports can rival rugby league for these things,” Walsh said.
“So, the invitation to capture the spirit of the game and to help build excitement for a world class sporting event, right here on our doorsteps, was one that I couldn’t resist.
“Sport has a unique capacity to unite and inspire us and we need that more than ever in these most challenging of times.”
Dutton says organisers have drawn up contingency plans in the event of the virus continuing to adversely affect sport.
These include socially-distanced crowds, a postponement to 2022 and, in the worse-case scenario, a cancellation.
“I can’t envisage playing the tournament behind closed doors but who knows?” Dutton added.
“There is such a strong desire from every single partner to see this tournament stay in 2021. Should that not be the case, we do have a back-up plan to put it back by 12 months.
“We are in the best possible place and we’ve got off to a really exceptional start with ticket sales.
“Pre-sale has exceeded our expectations. Not surprisingly, the opening game in Newcastle and the men’s and women’s finals at Old Trafford are the biggest sellers but we’ve sold tickets at all 61 games, including the women’s and wheelchair events.
“We have offered fans a 100 per cent refund guarantee if the tournament is disrupted by reduced capacities.”