Watch out! It's the Hurricanes and they're here to stay!
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Watch out! It's the Hurricanes and they're here to stay!
Midlands Hurricanes have secured a deal to play their home games for the 2023 Rugby League League One in Birmingham.
I trust you have all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Welcome back.
A new year can bring with it new expectations and create new opportunities, this has not been more evident than with the recent news that Midlands Hurricanes, a League One Rugby League team, have signed a deal with Birmingham Council to play their 2023 home fixture at Alexander Stadium.
After hosting the Commonwealth Games last summer, Birmingham City Council have been looking to capitalise on the success and turn Alexander Stadium into a year round venue for sports.
The stadium in Perry Barr has a long history with athletics, hosting the Diamond League World Championships from 2011 until renovations started for the Commonwealth Games in 2019. The 2026 European Athletics Championships are due to be held at Alexander Stadium too.
With a capacity of 18,000, it is a prime stadium for most sporting events and has, in the past, hosted concerts and festivals. Like with Athletics though, these are limited to summer dates.
So the deal for Midlands Hurricanes to make Alexander Stadium their home is great news for the stadium. The team will be hoping that such a prestigious home will attract new faces to games. This is welcome given the demise of Rugby Union team, Wasps, in Coventry which has left West Midlanders with a lack of choice when it comes to local rugby.
Of course, they are two different codes, but with rugby league being considered a ‘Northern’ sport, played mostly in Yorkshire and Lancashire, it will no doubt give the game a boost in the area with a lack of other options.
As the Commonwealth Games 2022 disappears in the rearview mirror, lots of Brummies will be waiting to see what the lasting legacy of the games will be. I hardly think the Hurricanes agreeing to play their home games at Alexander Stadium is going to whet their appetite.
In an area with such a proud sporting history, it will take a lot for Alexander Stadium to be considered anything other than an Athletics venue. But, as a start, it’s a great idea. And I for one will be keeping an eye out for the Hurricanes’ results.
Written by Tomas Browne
Season tickets are already on sale and can be found at Hurricanes website. Their season kicks off at home vs Cornwall on 19th February.