Wembley Stadium
Capacity: 90,000

International Rugby League returns to Wembley for the first time since 1997. This iconic venue will host the second round of fixtures in the 2011 Four Nations on Saturday November 5.  A double-header will see all four teams come together at one of sport’s famous venues. Tournament hosts England will take on the might of Australia in the second game and Wales will play current Four Nations and World champions New Zealand in the opening game.

History

Wembley has undergone a massive transformation since it hosted its last international in 1997, but the new stadium has lost none of its prestige. The famous twin towers have made way for an iconic arch. The stadium, which has been totally rebuilt, is now one of the most modern and breathtaking arenas in the world. Boasting a seated capacity of 90,000, the new Wembley reopened its doors in 2007 and is once again home to Rugby League’s oldest and most prestigious knockout tournament the Challenge Cup final.

Wembley, originally known as the Empire Stadium, was built as the centrepiece of a British Empire Exhibition at the end of the First World War. Though not officially opened by King George V until 23 April 1924, the stadium hosted its first Challenge Cup final in 1929, when Wigan defeated Dewsbury 13-2.

Wembley has hosted 12 Rugby League internationals. The first two matches, back in the early 1930s, were played between Wales and Australia with Australia winning both matches.

England did not play at Wembley until 1949, when they lost 12-5 to France with the match being televised live in the London area.

Great Britain made their bow at the famous old stadium against Australia in 1963 losing 28-2 but returned ten years later to take revenge against the Kangaroos winning 21-12.

International Rugby League was put on the backburner in London for the next 16 years. Rugby League’s big two – Great Britain and Australia - renewed their rivalry in 1990 with the Lions wining the first test 19-12 against hot favourites Australia in front of a record attendance for an international in the UK of 54,569. Two years later Great Britain hosted Australia in the World Cup Final with Australia just edging out their hosts 10-6 watched by another record crowd, this time of over 75,000.

Wembley was now becoming a regular venue on the international scene and New Zealand made their first appearance at Wembley in 1993, when they found Great Britain in fine form losing out 17-0.

Great Britain continued their good form with a gritty 8-4 victory over Australia in 1994.

England returned to Wembley a year later in the World Cup and two matches were played at the stadium during the tournament. England defeated Australia in the group stages by 20-16 and then two weeks later both nations returned to face each other in the World Cup final with Australia retaining the trophy with a 16-8 victory in front of 66,540.

The last international at Wembley took place on November 1 1997, when Great Britain lost 14-38 to Australia in the first ever Super League test.

Getting There

Wembley National Stadium Ltd
Wembley
London
HA9 0WS

Transport

Parking at Wembley Stadium is not available to people with general admission tickets, and you are strongly encouraged to travel to the Stadium by Public Transport. A residents' permit scheme operates in the local area on Stadium event days and illegally parked vehicles will be fined by the local council and may be towed away.

By Rail

The quickest route to Wembley Stadium from central London is with Chiltern Railways - only nine minutes direct from London Marylebone Station to Wembley Stadium. 
 
By Tube
 
Wembley Park Station (Jubilee and Metropolitan lines)
Follow the pedestrian route along Olympic Way. Allow for a ten minute walk to the Stadium.
Wembley Central Station (Bakerloo and Silverlink train line)
Turn right and walk in an easterly direction along High Road until you reach the Wembley triangle junction. Turn left onto Wembley Hill Road, cross the road and follow the pedestrian route along the White Horse Bridge. Please allow for a brisk fifteen minute walk to the Stadium.
 
By Bus

To travel by bus direct from Central London, take route 18 which is a frequent service from Euston main line station via Baker Street to one stop before Wembley Triangle & Clock (stop 'SJ' near Waverly Avenue). Please note on major event days London Buses in Brent will be running an event day timetable, which may differ from their normal timetable. For further details visit www.tfl.gov.uk/buses
 
By Air

From Heathrow airport, the most direct route is by Heathrow Express to Paddington with one change on to the westbound Bakerloo line travelling directly to Wembley Central.

From Gatwick airport, take Thameslink main line service to London Bridge, change on to the westbound Jubilee line and travel direct to Wembley Park, or take Gatwick Express into Central London.

From Stansted airport, take Stansted Express to Liverpool Street main line station and change on to westbound Metropolitan line and travel direct to Wembley Park. Alternatively, take National Express A6 coach service for Central London, stopping at Finchley Road station for westbound Metropolitan services for Wembley Park, and terminating Victoria Coach Station.

From London City airport, take the blue airport shuttle bus to Canary Wharf, follow signs for Canary Wharf Underground station and travel on westbound Jubilee line direct to Wembley Park, or remain on the shuttle bus for Liverpool Street main line station and change on to the westbound Metropolitan line and travel direct to Wembley Park. Alternatively travel via the DLR to Canning Town and change onto the Jubilee line.

From Luton airport, take the airport shuttle bus to Luton Parkway and travel by Thameslink main line service to West Hampstead, change stations, take a short walk to West Hampstead Underground station and travel directly on the westbound Jubilee line to Wembley Park. Alternatively, complete your journey to St Pancras main line station, walk to Kings Cross Underground station and travel directly on the westbound Metropolitan line to Wembley Park. You can also travel by Greenline (Arriva) 757 Luton airport express coach to Finchley Road Underground station and travel direct on the westbound Metropolitan line to Wembley Park.