London Broncos have decided to postpone their plans to host a rugby league match at Harlequins‘ Stoop, according to reports.
The leading rugby league team in the capital had intended to face Featherstone Rovers at the 15,000-seat rugby union venue in Twickenham. However, their intended opponents were unable to participate in this year’s Betfred Championship due to financial issues.
Following this setback, the Broncos, who were acquired last year by an Australian consortium led by Brisbane Broncos icon Darren Lockyer, aimed to bring a Challenge Cup match to the southwest London location. Unfortunately, they were eliminated from the competition at their Cherry Red Records Stadium in Wimbledon.
Reports indicate that the Broncos have now put these plans on hold for the time being, although this does not rule out future possibilities as they concentrate on their goal of promotion to the Super League.
Historically, the Broncos have had two previous stints at the Stoop before the recent takeover. The London venue has also hosted other teams beyond its regular tenants, Harlequins, and has been a site for various sports, including field hockey.
Promotion Aspirations of London Broncos
The London Broncos are currently on a strong promotion trajectory, having won all seven of their matches in the Betfred Championship thus far, boasting a remarkable points difference of 341. They are currently tied on points with Doncaster in the 20-team second tier, having played one match less than their competitors.
This development occurs as the Super League, the top tier of rugby league, is engaged in investment discussions with its Australian counterpart, the NRL. There is potential for a commercial merger between the two leading rugby league markets if NRL owners decide to invest in the Super League, with many teams expressing optimism about the future of the sport.
The absence of a match at the Stoop is expected to have financial repercussions for Harlequins, who were recently eliminated from the Investec Champions Cup in a match against Sale Sharks. The London rugby union team typically hosts two of its Premiership Rugby matches at the nearby Allianz Stadium, attracting over 120,000 fans across both events.
Bildquelle: Foto von Donna White auf Unsplash
