Old Trafford in battle to host Champions Cup final

Old Trafford and the Nou Camp are among venues being considered to stage the 2018 European Champions Cup Final.
Manchester United and Barcelona’s iconic stadia are among the options to host the blue riband event.
European rugby bosses believe the growing popularity of rugby’s version of the Champions League Final will see new venues enter the bidding process.
Old Trafford is well-used to hosting rugby events having staged rugby league’s Super League Grand Final for the past 19 years.
St James’ Park, the home of Newcastle United, was used as a World Cup venue in 2015 when it twice hosted Scotland, against South Africa and Samoa, as well as world champions New Zealand.
Tournament organisers are eager to capitalise on the competition’s success by taking the showpiece game to emerging rugby markets, with both Spain and Italy being considered to host the final for the first time.
Barcelona’s famed Nou Camp saw a world record crowd for a club rugby match when a staggering 99,124 watched Dan Carter’s Racing 92 win the French Top 14 title against Toulon.
Bilbao’s newly-built Estadio San Mames and Rome’s Stadio Olimpico are also considered options.
“We are delighted to see the dedication to the bidding process from such exciting – and in some cases – new rugby markets who wish to join us in delivering
outstanding rugby experiences,” said European Cup rugby chairman Simon Halliday, right.
“Many commentators, clubs and supporters regard the Champions Cup showpiece as the pinnacle of club rugby, not just in the northern hemisphere but across the world and the interest speaks volumes about the popularity of the tournaments.”
So far Europe’s biggest club match has been limited to traditional rugby venues with Cardiff having staged the most finals, seven in the 21 editions of the tournament so far.
Last year saw a break from that with the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals both held in Lyon, with an estimated economic benefit of €20.4 million to the French city. Saracens‘ triumph over Racing 92 was watched live by more than four million viewers across 95 countries.
Prospective hosts now have until December 2, 2016 to submit their final application to EPCR who will make a final decision next April.
MATT LLOYD