Rugby World Cup
Wales ready to host more 2015 matches
ESPN Staff
April 5, 2013
Welsh fans flock to the Millennium Stadium to watch the World Cup semi-final, Wales v France, Rugby World Cup, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, October 15, 2011
Cardiff's Millennium Stadium is used to hosting big events © PA Photos
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The Welsh Rugby Union has offered to host more 2015 World Cup matches at the Millennium Stadium following the withdrawal of Old Trafford as a venue.

While Manchester City have offered the use of the Etihad Stadium for one match that still leaves World Cup organisers needing a venue for another two fixtures and The Daily Telegragh reports that the 74,500 capacity venue would be made available.

World Cup organisers were hopeful that they could sell 225,000 tickets for the three matches they had scheduled for the 76,000 capacity Old Trafford. They would account for almost 10 per cent of the 2.9million supporters that they need to attract to meet an £80million revenue pledge to the International Rugby Board.

Other northern venues, Newcastle United's St James' Park and Leeds United's Elland Road have been considered, but their 52,400 and 40,000 capacities would still leave organisers with a shortfall in tickets sales, while there would also be problems with scheduling fixtures around the football season.

Wembley is another option, but the north London venue is already contracted to host two NFL matches at that time of year. Meanwhile the Olympic Stadium will be in the middle of redevelopments to make it a multi-use venue, which means that the Millennium Stadium an increasingly more attractive option.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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