Wigan Warriors and Hull KR Fans Set to Clash at Doncaster’s Eco-Power Stadium in Challenge Cup Semi-Final
The announcement of the Challenge Cup semi-final venues has confirmed that Wigan Warriors and Hull KR supporters will make the trip to Doncaster’s Eco-Power Stadium on May 18 as their teams vie for a spot at Wembley. While the choice of venue has received mixed reactions on social media, it has prompted a closer examination of the key rugby league games hosted at the 15,231-capacity ground.
As the home ground of Championship outfit Doncaster, the Eco-Power Stadium has previously welcomed a range of high-profile fixtures. In the delayed 2021 Rugby League World Cup, the venue hosted three group stage matches, including Papua New Guinea’s 36-0 victory over Wales on October 31, 2022, which was the last group game of the men’s tournament. The Kumuls’ triumph, in front of 6,968 fans, saw Nene Macdonald, Rodrick Tai, and Rhyse Martin among the try-scorers, as they secured progression to the knockout stages.
Earlier in the World Cup, the Eco-Power Stadium had also witnessed Samoa’s 72-4 thrashing of Greece on October 23, 2022, as well as France’s 34-12 win over the same opponents on October 17, 2022. These matches drew crowds of 4,415 and 4,182, respectively.
Beyond the international stage, the Eco-Power Stadium has hosted several notable domestic cup clashes. In 2017, it was the venue for Hull FC’s 43-24 victory over Leeds Rhinos in the Challenge Cup semi-finals, with a crowd of 14,526 in attendance. Two years earlier, in 2016, the ground had also seen Hull FC overcome Wigan Warriors 16-12 in the same competition’s semi-final.
As the Wigan and Hull KR faithful prepare to make the journey to Doncaster, they will undoubtedly be hoping to add their own chapter to the Eco-Power Stadium’s rich rugby league history.
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