The Reds’ home will host both a men’s quarter-final and the opening match and ceremony for the women’s tournament when it takes place across October and November 2021.
Peter Moore, LFC’s chief executive officer, said: “Liverpool Football Club is delighted to play its part in hosting the Rugby League World Cup 2021. Anfield is renowned for its award-winning welcome and we very much look forward to extending that welcome to fans of both the men’s and women’s rugby league games in 2021.”
The next edition of the Rugby League World Cup is the first major sporting tournament to simultaneously host a female, male and wheelchair competition - and the city of Liverpool is the only host city that will stage all three formats of the competition.
Jon Dutton, chief executive of RLWC2021, said: “As the only city to host a match across the men’s, women’s and wheelchair events, Liverpool is going to be a key destination during the Rugby League World Cup. We’re delighted to be bringing some of the competition’s biggest moments to a city with such a rich sporting history.
“With the women’s and wheelchair competitions taking on added importance in 2021, it’s great to see Liverpool also playing host to both the women’s opening ceremony and the Rugby League World Cup wheelchair final. We know that the local community will bring an incredible atmosphere to all matches, including the iconic Anfield hosting the marquee quarter-final men’s game.”
The Rugby League World Cup 2021 will be hosted between October and November. It will feature 16 nations in the men’s format and eight in both the women’s and wheelchair formats.