Top 10 Cruise Ports of Call for Rugby Fans
There are of course 2 differing codes of the sport of rugby, each with world-wide reaches and each with millions of fans. In the main it is the case that the 13 man code, known as Rugby League, is the dominant force in Australia and throughout the Pacific Islands, whilst the 15 man code, known as Rugby Union, is the dominant force on the European continent.
Many of the biggest clubs and the most important leagues have developed out of large British expat areas, especially in those countries that made up the fromer British Empire and that more often than not means that the biggest clubs are based in coastal cities.
That makes a cruise an ideal way for fans of rugby to visit a number of incredible stadiums on a cruise and take in the history and culture of those clubs whilst also enjoying fantastic destinations they reside in.
As is the case with most things, there are some destinations that stand out over the rest as must visit destinations for rugby fans on a cruise including arguably the world’s biggest rugby city.
When it comes to our choices, it is of course the rugby stadiums on offer in a destination that have a big say on where we rank them but we also take into account the overall cruise experience in the port of call, which does of course add the excitement and enjoyment of any day ashore visiting a rugby stadium.
Our Top 10 Cruise Ports of Call for Rugby Fans
Sydney
When it comes to rugby cities there can be no more iconic one than Sydney and thankfully for fans of the sport, the Australian city also makes for a great starting city or port of call on a cruise ‘down under’.
In the majority of countries around the world it is the football code of Association football than gets simply called football but if you were to talk to an Aussie about football or footy, it would be a discussion about either the sport of Rugby League or Australian Rules Football but in the city of Sydney, there is only one code that the locals have an interest in and that is Rugby League.
The NRL is the top flight competition in the countries and is also the largest and most watched sporting competition in the country with matches resembling Premier League football matches for exposure, crowd sizes and the importance of the matches.
The city is home to 9 top flight Rugby League teams and a whole host of lower level teams and it is also the home city for the New South Wales State of Origin team, one of if not the biggest annual series in the sport.
Although some of the grounds are nothing too special, a number match any stadium in a competition of any sport and are simply a must visit for Rugby fans.
Grounds such as Stadium Australia, the fromer Olympic Stadium that is home to the Canterbury Bulldogs, the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Wests Tigers that has a capacity of around 80,000, the Western Sydney Stadium, home of the Parramatta Eels and an ultra-modern high tech stadium that hosts around 35,000 and the newly remodelled Sydney Football Stadium, home of the Sydney Roosters are all well worth visiting.
The cities Rugby Union sides sometimes play at those venues but they usually play out of older and smaller grounds away from the city centre and harder to visit on a day visit as part of your cruise.
Brisbane
When it comes to Rugby in Australia there are 2 states that stand out as the powerhouses, New South Wales and Queensland and with Sydney dominating things in NSW, it will come as no surprise that it is the city of Brisbane that dominate things further north.
The cities Rugby League stadium is known as Suncorp Stadium, or to older fans as Lang Park, and it is the 50,000 capacity stadium that hosts all home games of the Brisbane Broncos and of the Queensland State of Origin side.
You can always be assure of a huge and passionate home crowd for Broncos game if you are lucky enough to be in port on a match day.
Auckland
The New Zealand capital city of Auckland makes for a great stopping off port but we would always recommend starting and/or ending your cruise holiday in the city to really make the most of all that is on offer.
Form beautiful beaches to one of the Southern Hemispheres leading skylines and from historic building to a thriving city centre, there is lots for visitors to enjoy but the city is also home to a number of leading Rugby team and stadiums.
Auckland is the home of Rugby League in the country, with the New Zealand Warriors (Auckland Warriors) who are biggest club side in the country based at the iconic Mount Smart Stadium, the city also hosts many international test matches and tournaments including big matches in the World Cup.
The city also has a strong presence in the 15 man code with Auckland’s Cricket ground Eden Park hosting Rugby Union internationals and the Blues represent the city in the Super Rugby competition.
Toulon
The French city of Toulon is famed for its military history and many of the attractions of the Mediterranean ports attractions come from that history although Rugby fans will know it for its leading Rugby Union side RC Toulon who compete at the highest level in France.
The city is also home to lower level Rugby League, with Rugby been the cities leading sport over Football.
Hull
The East Yorkshire city of Hull is a Rugby League hotbed ad is one of the few large cities in England where Rugby is the leading sport over Football.
There are 2 professional clubs based in Hull and dependent on where you are born in the city, you are either a Hull FC fan (West Hull) or a Hull KR fan (East Hull), with the River Hull itself been the border.
Derby day, when the 2 sides meet, attracts huge crowds, and brings the city to a standstill with the match been the talk of the town in the week building up to gameday.
Cape Town
The city of Cape Town is simply stunning, from the white sandy beaches to table mountain and from the beautiful waterfront to iconic Cape Town Stadium, the city is instantly recognisable from any photo you see of it and it makes for an incredible day ashore.
Cape Town is also one South Africa’s leading Rugby Union cities with the cities Football Stadium also hosting both the Stormers and the Western Province clubs as well as many international matches.
London
It maybe Football that dominates the sporting landscape in the English capital city but it is home to the iconic Twickenham Stadium as well as a couple of small club grounds.
The world famous Wembley Stadium is also the historic home of Rugby League Challenge Cup final which is shown around the world ever year, whilst stadium such as London Stadium (fromer Olympic Stadium), the Tottenham Stadium and the Emirates Stadium has all played host to major Rugby League action in the capital.
Dublin
The Irish national team are one of the strongest in the world and fans can easily visit the Aviva Stadium in Dublin where the Rugby Union side share with their Football rivals.
The city is also home to Leinster Rugby who play at the smaller RDS Arena but one of the great reasons to visit Dublin on a cruise is that whilst there is lots on offer to visitors in the city, it is small enough to explore on your own.
Wellington
The city of Wellington sits at the very southern tip of the North Island of New Zealand and so as you would expect it offers incredible views from its famous waterfront promenade whilst a trip up in tram/funicular allows for great views over the Cook Straight.
As the capital city of New Zealand, there is lots on offer for visitors but for Rugby fans, it is the famous Westpac Stadium that is the place the head for.
Famed for its bowl shaped stands with bright yellow seats, the ground hosts Football and Cricket but it is also home to the Hurricanes Rugby Union club as well as hosting Rugby 7s and some All Black internationals.
Le Havre (Paris)
The port of Le Havre is known as the gateway to Paris and is often billed as the French capital city on cruise itineraries but despite been an hour or so away, it is worth visiting Paris for Rugby fans.
The national stadium of the Stade de France may be most well known as a Football stadium but the French national Rugby Union side also play a number of matches there.
The city is also home to club Rugby Union sides with the Stade Jean-Bouin (Stade Francis and Rugby 7s) being the biggest and most famous.
Paris is also one of the world leading holiday destinations and it closeness to the UK makes it a relatively straight forward destination for most of us to cist on a cruise holiday.
