Rugby
Marseille chosen to host 2020 European club finals
The iconic Stade Velodrome will host the two showpiece matches on May 22 and 23, 2020.
Marseille’s Stade Velodrome has been chosen to host the European Champions and Challenge Cup finals in 2020, the European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), which runs both competitions, announced on Monday.
The two showpiece matches in the European rugby calendar will be played on May 22 and 23, 2020.
No other bidders were named, however British media had reported that English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, who are putting the finishing touches to a new 62,000 stadium, were also interested.
Successful bid
The iconic Stade Velodrome is run by football club Olympique de Marseille and is used for big Top 14 games by rugby club Toulon.
It hosted the 2010 Challenge Cup final in which the Cardiff Blues defeated Toulon by 28-21.
Jean-Claude Gaudin, mayor of the southern French city, said: 'In selecting our city, EPCR has recognised a remarkable collective work on a successful bid project, worthy of the expectations of this major sporting event, which commands the attention and enthusiasm of the rugby world.
'Staging this top European club rugby weekend is further recognition for Marseille, now making us a member of an elite circle of sporting cities.'
This season’s finals are to be played at St James Park in Newcastle, while Bilbao’s San Mames hosted last season’s ones in May.