The 2021 Rugby League World Cup is coming to Leeds this month, and with eight games to be played between Saturday 15 October and Friday 11 November, there's going to be plenty to get involved in around the city.
From the headline games to how to buy tickets, here's what you need to know about the upcoming RLWC21 events across Leeds.
Fixtures in Leeds
The following Men's Rugby League World Cup games will be held in Leeds:
Australia v Fiji on Saturday 15 October, 7.30pm @ Headingley Stadium
Jamaica v Ireland on Sunday 16 October, 5pm @ Headingley Stadium
New Zealand v Ireland on Friday 28 October, 7.30pm @ Headingley Stadium
Semi Final on Friday 11 November, 7.45pm @ Elland Road
Image: Rugby World Cup 2021
The following Women's Rugby League World Cup games will be held in Leeds:
England v Brazil on Tuesday 1 November, 2.30pm @ Headingley Stadium
Papua New Guinea v Canada on Tuesday 1 November, 5pm @ Headingley Stadium
Canada v Brazil on Wednesday 9 November, 5pm @ Headingley Stadium
England v Papua New Guinea on Wednesday 9 November @ Headingley Stadium
How to get tickets to the games
Tickets are available from just £10 for the Men's, Women's and Disabled tournaments, with tickets for under 16s coming in at just £2.21 each.
Leeds city council warned that the inaugural Leeds game Australia v Fiji on Saturday 15 October, 7.30pm at Headingley Stadium is almost sold out, so those looking to grab tickets to the event are advised to act quickly before the tickets sell out completely.
All tickets can be purchased on the RLWC21 website here.
Leeds Rhinos
Image: Rugby League World Cup 2021
The matches will affect Leeds Rhinos matches as a result. The club has put out the following statement regarding the RLWC21:
"Only five RLWC2021 fixtures (four match-days) have been affected during the rescheduling of 61 matches staged at 21 iconic venues, across 18 host towns and cities. These changes involve the switching of two fixtures between existing venues in Leeds and Hull and the relocation of fixtures from Anfield Stadium and M&S Bank Arena."
Leeds Rhinos v New Zealand- Bartercard International Challenge
The Bartercard International Challenge will see Leeds Rhinos play the New Zealand game ahead of the World Cup matches later this month.
The highly anticipated match will take place on Saturday 8 October 2022 from 6pm at Headingley Stadium.
The club has announced that Rob Burrow will be the guest of honour at the game, Leeds Rhinos have commented that "the game will have special significance for Burrow as his greatest achievement on the international stage came against New Zealand when he was Man of the Series for Great Britain against the Kiwis in 2007."
Image: Leeds Rhinos
You can grab tickets for the Bartercard International Challenge here.
Kevin Sinfield's Ultra 7 in 7 Challenge
In the past year, the Leeds Rhinos player has completed a 101 mile run in 24 hours; ran 10k with Rob Burrow and in 2020, the sportsman ran seven marathons in seven days, raising over £2.7 million for charity. Now Sinfield has announced that he plans to run from Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh to Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, spanning across seven days during the Rugby World Cup.
The ‘Ultra 7 in 7 Challenge’ will see the former Leeds Rhinos captain to run over 60 km each day in order to reach the destination in time, and will travel through Melrose, Newcastle, York, Bradford, Middlesborough and Leeds before arriving in Manchester.
Image: Leicester Tigers
The idea is that Sinfield will reach Old Trafford at half-time during the men’s rugby league World Cup final on Saturday 19 November, having set off six days prior on Sunday 13 November 2022.
Silver's Bakehouse is finally here, and it's just as fabulous as we'd hoped.
Just when you thought Leeds’ favourite sandwich spot couldn't get any better, they go and open a bakery.
Silver's Bakehouse has opened its beautiful pastel green doors today over in Farsley to queues of excited fans eager to get their first taste.
So, what's on offer at Silver's Bakehouse?
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Well, as masterminds of the almighty sandwich you'll be happy to know you can still get one here. However, their iconic sub sarnies have had an Italian makeover and are now served in fresh, springy sourdough which is baked onsite.
Elsewhere on the menu you'll find brown butter buttermilk brownies (try saying that three times), a range of delicious cookies, sausage rolls, soft amaretti biscuits and Dark Arts tiramisu.
There's also a fab selection of Italian drinks on offer in a swanky new fridge, as well as a coffee menu so you can pick a brew to go hand in hand with your chosen baked good.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The interior is just as gorgeous, complete with yellow walls, red tiles and a mirror hanging above the baker's table so you can really see all the magic happen.
And trust us, it is magic.
There's a couple of benches outside so you can plonk yourself in the sunshine to enjoy your sarnie, which is what we'll be doing in this glorious bank holiday sunshine.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can really tell this is a proper labour of love, and Chris and the team have done a cracking job of keeping that Silver's spirit in there.
Go and say hello to congratulate them on this fabulous new opening, it's a great addition to Farsley and the Leeds foodie scene.
Government to slash prices of bus travel, cinema tickets and LOADS more across UK for kids this summer
Emily Sergeant
Cinema tickets, trips to the theatre and the zoo, and children’s meals out are all set to be cheaper than ever this summer.
That’s because the Government has announced its newest initiative, Great British Summer Savings, which means that from 25 June through to 1 September 2026, a temporary reduced rate of VAT – down from 20% to 5% – will be introduced on children’s meals in restaurants and family leisure activities over the summer period.
Children’s meals served in restaurants, children’s and family tickets for the cinema, theatre, exhibitions, shows, and concerts, and admission tickets – for both children and adults – to a wide range of different attractions will be eligible for the discount.
Whether you want to visit an amusement park, fairs, circuses, museums, zoos, adventure parks, soft play centre, or something similar this summer, it just got a whole lot cheaper.
This aim of this initiative is to make family days out more affordable, while also supporting businesses through increased footfall.
The Government says it will work with eligible businesses to get the scheme ‘up and running’.
The Government is slashing the prices of cinema tickets, bus travel, and LOADS more across UK for kids this summer / Credit: Artem Kniaz (via Unsplash) | Supplied
And to make it even better, this is a UK-wide initiative, so no matter where you are in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, the reduced rate will apply.
Going one step further, there will also be free bus travel for children aged between five and 15 in England in August, helping to support families getting out and about this summer.
The Government says the Great British Summer Savings initiative supports the action it has already taken to reduce the cost of living – including cutting energy bills, freezing prescription charges, protecting motorists from fuel duty increases, and raising the minimum wage.
Businesses will be able to apply the 5% rate of VAT on eligible sales between 25 June and 1 September 2026.
Sophie Smith -
5th October 2022 
