Media centre

Monday 5 Oct 2015

Fans and passengers given train travel tips ahead of Manchester’s big rugby weekend

Nearly 140,000 fans, many travelling by train, will descend on Manchester this Saturday (10 October) for the Super League Grand Final and England’s last 2015 Rugby World Cup match.

The Grand Final, between Wigan and Leeds Rhinos, kicks off at 6pm at Old Trafford before England face Uruguay at Manchester City's Etihad stadium at 8pm. This will be England's last 2015 Rugby World Cup outing after defeat to Australia confirmed their exit from the competition.

With a busy railway expected Network Rail and train companies are offering passengers three top travel tips:

- allow extra time,

- expect queues, and

- know the times of your last three trains home - but don't aim for the very last one.

Terry Strickland, area director for Network Rail, said: "Two evening kick-offs of this magnitude will see a huge numbers of rugby fans travelling into Manchester this Saturday. To ensure you get safely to and from the game you're planning to see, we recommend following our three top travel tips: allow extra time, expect queues and know the times of your last three trains homes - and don't aim for the very last one."

Network Rail will have volunteers at Manchester Piccadilly station helping passengers with way-finding and information.

Gary Iddon, Virgin Trains' general manager, said: "We're really pleased to be playing a part in the Rugby World Cup. We have been working closely with the event organisers to ensure additional services, exclusive to Rugby World Cup ticket holders, are in place for the England game at the Ethiad. Tickets for the additional services are available to buy through the official Rugby World Cup website. We can't wait to welcome rugby fans from around the world to Manchester but advise them to book their journeys in advance."

Jonny Wiseman, general manager north for East Midlands Trains, said: "Trains to and from Manchester will be extremely busy throughout Saturday. We are providing additional and strengthened services.  In addition to this we will have extra staff available to assist customers but we strongly advise customers to plan their journey before leaving and leave plenty of time to reach their destination. Whether customers are travelling to watch the World Cup, Super League Grand Final or travelling for any other reason we're looking forward to helping everyone have a safe and convenient journey."

Richard Allan, commercial director for Northern Rail, said: “We’ve been preparing for months with industry partners for an amazing weekend of sport. We’re providing as many additional seats as possible for fans travelling to and from Manchester on Saturday, and we have dozens of extra staff at key stations to help customers with information.”

For the latest passenger information check www.nationalrail.co.uk or for Rugby World Cup travel advice visit http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/travel.