Hull KR CEO Paul Lakin Explains World Club Challenge Venue Choice
Hull KR will host the World Club Challenge at the MKM Stadium early next year, a decision championed by chief executive Paul Lakin. The Rovers earned their place by winning the Super League trophy for the first time last month, setting up a clash with NRL champions Brisbane Broncos.
Venue Decision and Reasoning
The match is scheduled for Thursday, February 19, but will not be held at Hull KR's home ground, Craven Park. Instead, the game will take place at the MKM Stadium, home of rivals Hull FC. Lakin described the choice as a “no-brainer.”
“You want to hold it in the biggest stadium possible for as many people to see the best players in the world. We felt the World Club Challenge deserved a bigger platform.”
He added that keeping the game at Craven Park would have led to frustration due to limited capacity, while the MKM Stadium offers a larger venue likely to sell out.
Historic First for Hull KR
This event marks Hull KR's first-ever participation in the World Club Challenge. Fans eager to watch Reece Walsh and the Brisbane Broncos live will need to travel across the city to attend the match.
“We're keeping it in our city, which was the number one priority,”
Lakin acknowledged the challenge of scheduling, as Hull City will be playing at the MKM Stadium the Saturday following the World Club Challenge.
Summary
The decision to stage the World Club Challenge at a larger rival’s stadium reflects Hull KR’s intention to maximise attendance and provide a memorable experience for fans while marking a historic moment for the club.
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