York City Knights cup final to be Wembley test event
It's been selected as one of the government's pilot events for big crowds
York City Knights could play in front of 45,000 rugby fans on the 17th July, when they take on Featherstone Rovers in the 1895 Cup final.
It's been selected as a test event for big crowds, as the government continues to research ways to restart them.
Fans are expected to need proof of a negative Covid test or a vaccine, and will be invited to watch both the 1995 Cup final and the Challenge Cup final on the same day.
Mark Foster, the RFL's chief commercial officer, said: "We are still working through the full details and have further work to do in the next 24 hours with the Events Research Programme as well as Wembley Stadium and Brent Council but the indications are that we will be working to a 50% capacity which is around 40-45,000.
"This is fantastic news for the sport as a whole and especially for the tens of thousands of supporters of Castleford Tigers, St Helens, Featherstone Rovers and York City Knights who will now be able to attend Rugby League Challenge Cup Final day - one of the country's traditional sporting highlights.
Sports Minister Nigel Huddlestone said: "Our phenomenal vaccine rollout and increasing uptake of the NHS App means the Challenge Cup Final and the 1895 Cup Final will now take place in front of tens of thousands of fans at Wembley Stadium, which is a very positive sign ahead of the Rugby League World Cup later this year.
"These highlights of the Rugby League calendar will be an important part of the Events Research Programme, helping to explore how we can safely return fans to sporting and cultural venues at ever greater numbers."
Tickets are expected to be sold to season ticket holders and club members first, before a wider rollout at a later date.