Newcastle shortlisted to host European rugby showpiece weekend

Fans at the 2015 European Rugby Champions Cup final between Racing 92 v Saracens at Parc Olympique Lyonnais Credit: PA

Newcastle has been confirmed on the shortlist of candidate cities to host European professional club rugby union's showpiece weekend in May 2018.

Last month, the city revealed its intention to host the 2018 European Rugby Champions Cup final, European Rugby Challenge Cup final and Challenge Cup Qualifying Competition final.

If successful in their bid, the Champions Cup final would be held at Newcastle United's St James' Park Stadium.

Newcastle's application this week passed through to the candidate stage, although tournament organisers European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) are not making public the number or identity of rival bids.

The next stage of the selection process sees EPCR making site visits to all candidate cities in a selection process through to March 2017, before a final decision is made in April 2017.

Tickets for the 2018 finals will go on sale a week before the 2017 European Rugby Champions Cup final, which is being held in Edinburgh on May 13.