University of Bolton Stadium – Bolton is a friendly and charming town in Greater Manchester, ideally located close to the beautiful West Pennine Moors and surrounded by beautiful countryside.
Men’s matches are played at Bolton University Stadium, including the group stage match between France and England. It will also be the base of the French (men’s) team.

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About University of Bolton Stadium:
The stadium was built during the Taylor Reformation in England and the project caused a lot of controversies. Some fans questioned Bolton’s location (the former Brendan Park was within walking distance for many) and some tried to embrace Reebok as a record label.
However, with Reebok being a longtime sponsor of Wanderers and originally a local company, the name has become an issue over the years, with most fans referring to the stadium as “The Reebok”. As for the Brendon Park experience, the club’s former stadium was built around Reebok Stadium along a street called Brendon Way.
Bolton is located west of Manchester, so it’s relatively easy to reach by car or public transport. However, the stadium is half an hour from the city.
The University of Bolton Stadium Stats | |
Year Opened | 1997 |
Capacity | 28,723 |
Average Attendance | 11,480 |
Record Attendance | 28,353 (Bolton v Leicester (2003)) |
Pitch Size | 100 x 66 (6600) |
Nickname | The Macron, The Reebok |
Former Name | The Reebok Stadium, The Macron Stadium |
Owner | Bolton Wanderers |
Sponsor | University of Bolton |
Clubs Hosted | Bolton Wanderers |
First Fixture | Bolton v Everton (01/09/1997) |
Rugby League World Cup Matches at Bolton Stadium
The Bolton Stadium is one of the 21 venues selected for the upcoming Rugby league world cup 2022. The stadium will host only one match between hosts England and France on 22nd October 2022.
Date | Time | Match |
22nd October 2022, Saturday | 17:00 (BST) | France Men vs England Men |
Mode of Transport to get to Bolton Stadium
Train: The closest station to McCarron Stadium is Harwich Parkway Station. It’s about 200 meters above the ground, so when you get off the train, it’s easy to know where you’re going. It is on accessible routes from Blackpool, Preston, Manchester and Bolton.
Bus: Thirteen different buses travel between stadiums on Bolton match days. If buses are your preferred mode of transport, you will have no problem finding an alternative.
By car: Take the M6 from the north and exit at junction 30 onto the M61, exit at junction 6 and follow signs. From the south, exit the M6 at junction 21a and follow the M62 until junction 12 where it joins the M61. Head to junction 6 and follow the signs on the ground to merge onto the A6027.
By plane: The closest airport to Bolton is Manchester Airport, which is good because they fly to major cities in the world. There are direct trains from Manchester Airport to Horwich Parkway Station.
Taxi: A taxi from Bolton city center to Macron Stadium takes around 15 minutes and costs around £20. Not surprisingly, the later you pay, the more you pay. That’s how taxis work.
Parking Options near Bolton University Stadium
The University of Bolton Stadium has five public parking lots. So there are plenty of parking spaces if you’re willing to pay. You can find street parking, but be aware of parking restrictions in this area, even if it’s not residential.
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