Rugby World Cup 2015 Newcastle FAQ

Rugby World Cup 2015 Newcastle Frequently Asked Questions

www.NewcastleGateshead.com/rwc @RWC2015NCL #RWC2015

Rugby World Cup 2015 - Frequently Asked Questions!

Rugby World Cup 2015 in Newcastle is fast approaching and we’re expecting a huge number of visitors to the city – many who will be first time visitors. This fact sheet of frequently asked questions should help answer any queries your guests may have.

To find out more information visit www.NewcastleGateshead.com/rwc @RWC2015NCL Match dates and times  Saturday 3 October – South Africa v Scotland Kick Off 4.45pm  Friday 9 October – New Zealand v Tonga Kick Off 8pm  Saturday 10 October – Samoa v Scotland Kick Off 2.30pm Tickets Due to the ticket resale process, tickets may be available right up to kick off. Tickets start at £50 and up to £175, depending on availability. Check the website for current availability tickets.rugbyworldcup.com Hospitality packages are available at St James’ Park – starting at £595 per person (in a Corporate Box inc. Cat A ticket). More information at hospitality.rugbyworldcup.com Venue All matches will be played at St James’ Park. The stadium will be open to the public 2 hours prior to kick off (3 hours for hospitality). Ticket holders are advised to get there early as there will be additional security checks in place. In stadium entertainment starts 30 minutes before kick off.   

Spectators can take one bag into the stadium – but it must be soft-sided and under 25L (standard rucksack size). All bags will be searched.

You can’t take food or drink into the stadium (apart from baby food).

Once inside the stadium fans are mixed, and you can take drinks to your seats during the game.

Getting to St James’ Park If you’re based in a city centre location, make sure you can direct guests on foot to St James’ Park and know how long it would take to walk there. There will be directional signage and volunteers to help people on their way.

Be aware that there will be road closures and restrictions in place on match days and it will take longer than usual to get to the stadium due to the volume of people in the city.

If you’re located out of town, please encourage guests to make use of public transport or Park and Ride services. There is no spectator parking at St James’ Park (apart from Blue Badge Holders).

Park and Ride will be operating at the following locations:  Newcastle Falcons (NE13 8AF)  Metrocentre Coach Park (NE11 9YG)  Callerton Parkway (NE13 8DF), Heworth (NE10 0YJ) and Northumberland Park Metro Stations (NE27 0RZ) Taxis will not be allowed to drop off or pick up at St James’ Park on match days.

Volunteers There will be volunteers working on match days across Newcastle to direct spectators to St James’ Park. These volunteers are called ‘The Pack’ and will be fully briefed to answer questions relating to the Tournament. In addition there will be volunteers welcoming visitors at Central Station and Newcastle International Airport and within the Fanzone.

Fanzone The Official Fanzone is at Science Central (adjacent to St James’ Park).

Opening dates: Saturday 26 September, then Friday 2 – Sunday 11 October (closed Monday 5 October) Opening times: 12noon – 11.30pm apart from Saturday 3rd and 10th October 10am – 11.30pm) Entry is FREE Facilities include: Large outdoor screen Marquee with big screens Community rugby pitch Food and drink concessions Live music and entertainment Funfair and big wheel Ticketed events* (within the marquee) include:      

North East Oyster Festival – Friday 25 September Mixed Martial Arts Event – Saturday 26 September OctoberFest Bier Keller Night – Friday 2 October Battle of the Bands – Sunday 4 October (FREE Event) Metro Radio Cash for Kids – Wednesday 7 October Rugby World Cup Dinner – Thursday 8 October

*admission charged – varies per event More info at www.newcastlegateshead.net/rwc/fanzone No alcohol can be taken into the Fanzone.

Where else can I watch a match?

There is a Big Screen at Grey’s Monument which will show all matches (excluding the games taking place at St James’ Park) right through to the final on Saturday 31 October.

Some other suggestions across Newcastle to watch the games:           

Shark Club, Sandman Signature Hotel, Heber Street, Newcastle NE1 4BT Aspers Sports Bar, The Gate, Newcastle NE1 5TG Akenside Traders, Dean Street, Newcastle NE1 1PQ The Hancock, 2a Hancock Street, Newcastle NE2 4PU Stein Beir Keller, 13 Bigg Market, Newcastle NE1 1UN Old George Inn, High Bridge, Newcastle NE1 1EE The Union Rooms, 48 Westgate Road, Newcastle NE1 1TT Pacific House, Northumberland Road, Newcastle NE1 8JF Centurion, Central Station, Newcastle NE1 5DG The Junction, Percy Street, Newcastle NE1 7PF Spy Bar, 82 Osborne Road, Jesmond NE2 2AP

Places to eat and drink Fans will be looking for places to eat and drink before and after the matches. Make sure you know a few good places to suggest – we want all of our visitors to have the best experience possible and leave with good memories of Newcastle. Places that offer quick service and with no need to book will be perfect! Where possible highlight our quality range of local / independent restaurants.

What else is happening in Newcastle during Rugby World Cup 2015?

Scotland House The Scottish Rugby Union is operating a mini Fanzone for Scottish fans at Lane7. This venue is fully sold out so only ticket holders will be able to get access. Visiting fans from Scotland may ask where this is and how to get there.

Lane7 80 – 90 St James’ Boulevard Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4BN Newcastle Falcons Legends Game Friday 2 October, Kick Off 7.45pm Newcastle Falcons, Kingston Park Newcastle Falcons Legends take on Southern Hemisphere Legends in a fun warm up game to Rugby World Cup 2015 celebrations in Newcastle. Expect to see some old favourites taking to the field.

Tickets still available starting from £10 for adults and £5 for under 16s.

Rucking all over the World Until 1 November Discovery Museum, Blanford Square, Newcastle Celebrate the history of Rugby in the North East where some of the world’s oldest clubs are based.

The exhibition features items from Tyne and Wear Museum’s collection alongside loans from the World Rugby Museum, Twickenham and local clubs and supporters.

Sage Gateshead until 31 October Sage Gateshead, Quayside, Don’t miss a match and watch all the action live in the stunning surroundings of Sage Gateshead. They will serve up special themed menus and live music to coincide with the matches taking place at St James’ Park.

Tyneside Bar Café Until 31 October Tyneside Cinema, Pilgrim Street, Newcastle NE1 6QG Enjoy every scrum with top quality scran and in the comfort of the Tyneside Bar Café. They will be broadcasting every match of the Tournament.

Conversion Festival celebrates culture and rugby in Newcastle from Saturday 3 – Sunday 11 October. With nine days of events, sports fans will have plenty of chances to engage with the city’s artistic culture as well as a unique sporting experience. Taking influence from the rich cultures of our visiting nations, musicians, street theatre and performances will create a special atmosphere in the city centre around the tournament period at locations including St. James’ Park, Grey’s Monument and the Fanzone.

Kick off – Saturday 3 October, from 12noon – City Centre and Fanzone A day of street theatre and music celebrating the musical traditions of South Africa and Scotland. Don’t miss the mass ceilidh at 3pm in the Fanzone with a South African twist just before the match kicks off.

EAT! North East Food Heroes Market – Saturday 3 – Sunday 11 October Over 30 street food traders and producers will take to the streets around Grey’s Monument with the ultimate foodie market to keep rugby fans well fed throughout the festival. Opens at 12noon daily.

Haka Day Out – Friday 9 October, 3.30pm and 6.30pm, Fanzone A performance showcasing the native New Zealand Māori art form ‘Kapa Haka’.

Watch the fierce Haka performed in front of you and even have a go at learning it yourself.

Rugby Nations Dance – Saturday 10 October, 12.30pm, Fanzone Dancers from a range of community groups come together to perform alongside People’s Street Orchestra for a unique Geordie celebration of the sport and the nations competing in Newcastle.

Scrum Down Print Forward – Sunday 11 October, 1.45pm and 4.15pm Grey’s Monument Support local rugby players in their World Record attempt to produce the World’s Largest Linocut Print. Each Host City will be contributing to the final linocut print.

Danbor Talka – Sunday 11 October, 7pm, Fanzone A wild finale performance taking place in the Fanzone. Troupes of musicians will march through the audience before taking to the stage for a unique spectacle of drumming, pyrotechnics and war chants. A high energy performance from two internationally acclaimed percussion companies will provide a memorable close to the festival.

This is a free and un-ticketed event. We advise people get there early to avoid disappointment.

Performance lasts approx. 45 minutes Find out more at www.conversionfestival.com