Arsenal's Emirates Stadium to host Rugby League World Cup semi-final as tournament schedule confirmed

The schedule for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup has been released, with one men's semi-final fixture set to take place at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.

England will kick-off the tournament against Samoa at St James' Park - home of Premier League football club Newcastle United - on October 23.

Shaun Wane's side - who will be based in Manchester - will then continue their Group A campaign against France at the University of Bolton Stadium seven days later before battling Greece at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane on November 6.

If England top their group, they will play their quarter-final fixture at Liverpool's Anfield on November 13, while a runner-up spot would see them travel back to Bolton on November 14.

If it's the latter, and England get through their last-eight contest, then they would head to the Emirates for a semi-final encounter on November 20.

The other semi-final match will be held at newly-promoted Leeds' Elland Road ground, with the final itself to take place at Manchester United's Old Trafford on November 27.

Australia are the current men's Rugby League World Cup holders and begin their latest title defence against Group B rivals Fiji at the KCOM Stadium in Hull on October 23 before facing Scotland in Coventry and and Italy in St Helens.

The women's tournament begins with England facing Brazil at Headingley in Leeds as part of an opening double-header on November 9, with the final taking place shortly before the men's final at Old Trafford on November 27.

The wheelchair Rugby League World Cup, meanwhile, is due to commence at London's Copper Box Arena on November 11 before concluding at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on November 26.