Rochdale is celebrating after the RFL confirmed that Spotland Stadium will host a match during the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

After submitting a strong bid, the town beat off stiff competition from rival applications across the country to stage a match in the 14-nation tournament in two years' time.

Council Leader Colin Lambert said he is very proud that Rochdale will be involved and that being one of the hosts for the tournament would leave a lasting legacy: "I know we will give teams and their supporters a warm welcome and a tremendous World Cup experience. Showcasing some of the world's most exciting talents is a great opportunity for us, so Rochdale Hornets, the council and our community partners are determined to gain maximum benefit from this competition. We've got a strong tradition and passion for rugby league in this town, and the tournament can have a positive impact on the area, with Rochdale being shown all over the world. The town deserves this opportunity and would like to thank everyone who has supported the bid."

Rochdale Borough Council, Link4Life and Hornets Rugby League teamed up with AGMA (The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities) to submit the successful bid. The competition is expected to bring significant benefit to current clubs, players and supporters of the game, as well as the town.

Craig McAteer, Managing Director of Link4Life, said: "Link4Life has invested in rugby league development in the borough for the last two years, employing a development manager and community rugby league coach to work with Rochdale Hornets and the community clubs. This investment is now paying dividends and I am sure that the interest and publicity the World Cup will generate will allow them to continue the great work they do with local schools and clubs."

2013 Rugby League World Cup Tournament Director Nigel Wood said: "I would like to congratulate Rochdale who have been successful in their bid to host a match in what I am confident will be a World Cup that enhances the UK's golden decade of sport. We experienced massive interest in hosting matches from all across Europe and the bidding process proved to be hugely competitive."

"In putting together its bid over the last 12 months, Rochdale has demonstrated a level of commitment that gives us confidence that the 2013 Rugby League World Cup will exceed everyone's expectations. It has been a fantastic and inspiring bidding process and we have been extremely impressed with the quality, detail and diverse nature of the host bids received."

He added. Today's announcement outlines 18 different venues which will stage matches and reveals six other venues which will host teams during the tournament. Details of host fixtures and venues for the opening ceremony, the semi-finals and the final will be confirmed early in the New Year.

A total of 34 bids, comprising 30 stadia, 47 team training sites and 87 team base camps, were submitted to the RFL. Each of the bidding hosts underwent a detailed inspection from the 2013 team to examine the various sites venue specifications, as well as evaluating the enthusiasm and commitment of each bidding host.

Upwards of half a million people are expected to watch the 28 matches live over a six-week period in the autumn of 2013 with a further 20 million viewers from 120 countries tuning in around the world.

Mark Wynn, Chairman of Rochdale Hornets, said the announcement was the culmination of nearly 12 months work: "Rugby League in Rochdale is extremely vibrant at all levels from schools and junior to open age community and amateur clubs to here at the Hornets. We hope the World Cup will give us the springboard to take the game forward to even higher levels and that the public will get behind our fixture and show the world what Rochdale has to offer."

Rochdale's 2013 Rugby League World Cup announcement comes just days after the town was named 'World Capital of Co-operatives' by the International Co-operative Alliance and it was revealed that the borough will welcome the Olympic Torch Relay in 2012.

Photograph:
The Mayor of Rochdale celebrates the announcement with Louise Spencer, Chief Executive of Rochdale Hornets. (Left to right: Chair of Link4Life Brian Ashworth, Mayoress Gillian Brown, Council Leader Colin Lambert, John Patterson, Executive Director, Rochdale Borough Council.