Official Fanzones announced

With just under six months to go to the tournament, England Rugby 2015 has announced 15 official Rugby World Cup Fanzone locations across England and in Cardiff.

Fans heading to England and Cardiff for this year’s showcase tournament can look forward to soaking up the atmosphere of one of the biggest sporting events in the world in official Rugby World Cup 2015 Fanzones.

In total, 15 Fanzones have been announced and will be located within each Rugby World Cup 2015 host city, as well as in the birthplace of the game, Rugby, and in Trafalgar Square in Central London.

Mix of venues

Fanzones, which will be free to enter, will be open on match days and at varying times across the six-week tournament providing fans, residents and visitors with the opportunity to enjoy the build-up to matches and join in with the nationwide celebration of rugby.

Fanzone locations range from iconic town squares to city parks, match venue surroundings, and waterside spaces including the Docks in Gloucester and a Fanzone on the beach in Brighton. With capacities ranging from 2,000 to over 10,000, and additional events planned in the Fanzones outside of match days, over one million fans are expected to head to Fanzones throughout the tournament.

Each Fanzone will include a big screen, with some showing live Rugby World Cup 2015 matches, rugby activities, food and drink, entertainment and unique regional content to celebrate each host city and match venue’s role in Rugby World Cup 2015. Trafalgar Square will be open from the weekend of the semi-finals until the final and include entertainment, food and drink, and rugby activities on the semi-final, bronze final and final match days. On non-match days, Trafalgar Square, along with a number of other official Fanzones, will play host to grassroots and community rugby initiatives and events to celebrate the game and the wider tournament.

Rugby World Cup first

England Rugby 2015 CEO, Debbie Jevans, said: “We are pleased to deliver another tournament first with an official Fanzone in every host city as well as additional Fanzones in Rugby - the birthplace of the game - and London’s Trafalgar Square. We have worked with all our host cities, local authorities and the Mayor of London to identify a range of fantastic locations including city centres, parks, match venues and waterfronts to give fans, residents and visitors a uniquely regional experience and a focal point for celebrating the tournament and the wider game of rugby. Capacities will range from 2,000 to over 10,000 and we would like to thank all of our host cities, local authorities and the Mayor of London for their fantastic support and we look forward to welcoming upwards of one million people to the official Fanzones."

England Rugby 2015 and local authorities are working to conclude planning, licensing and operational arrangements for Fanzones with full details to be announced once final details are confirmed.

Click here to see the full list of official Rugby World Cup 2015 Fanzones, including individual capacities and the number of days that each Fanzone will be open for.