Liverpool is to submit a bid to be part of England’s Rugby League World Cup in 2021 (RLWC2021).

The city has put together a cross-Mersey bid that will see venues such as Anfield and Prenton Park used.

Liverpool Football Club’s iconic home is being proposed to stage the men’s tournament, whilst Tranmere Rovers could stage the women’s event.

Liverpool City Council, which is working in partnership with Wirral Council, is also proposing to the tournament organisers that wheelchair matches could be staged at the Greenbank Sports Academy and Echo Arena Liverpool on the waterfront.

The city, which will be hosting three major international sporting championships in the next two years – BISFed 2018 World Boccia Championships, Netball World Cup 2019 and the 2022 World Artistic Gymnastic Championships, has also set out plans to be the host city for a visiting nation.

Councillor Wendy Simon, deputy mayor of Liverpool and cabinet member for culture and events, says: “Liverpool has developed a phenomenal track record in hosting major sporting and cultural events and the Rugby League World Cup in 2021 would be a fantastic fit for the city and wider region.

“The fact the tournament will be the first to jointly host a women’s, men’s and wheelchair competition makes it a landmark moment in sport and it would be very special to be part of this historic occasion.”

Peter Moore, chief executive officer at Liverpool FC, adds: “Liverpool Football Club continues to invest in Anfield stadium to make it a destination to host more sporting events and we’re delighted to support the council’s bid for the city to host the Rugby League World Cup 2021 here in Liverpool.”

Liverpool’s bid will be formally submitted on 31 July. RLWC2021 will announce the host cities and successful venues in January 2019.

The tournament will be hosted between October and November 2021. It will feature 16 nations in the men’s format and eight in both the women’s and wheelchair formats.

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