The Ashes 2019 are well underway, and the end of August comes with the Third Test at Headingley in Leeds – but that’s not all that’s on offer this year.
Recently refurbished with a £45 million makeover the dual stadium will be hosting the England and Australian cricket teams for what could be a crucial test in the series, the venue is perfect for meetings, hospitality events and much more.
The History Behind Headingley Stadium
The stadium has been a core sporting venue in Yorkshire since 1890, firstly as a rugby venue, with a match between England and Scotland drawing a crowd of over 30,000 in 1893.
As well as holding home to a number of high-profile international teams in the early 1900s, Headingley Stadium was also used for some historic matches during the First World War when Leeds played a number of games against the Royal Navy team from Plymouth, and a second round of games took pace between Northern Command Rugby Union and Rugby League teams in January 1943 – throughout the Second World War.
In the early sixties the stadium started to push itself further forward with a number of technological advancements with undersoil heating installed after the ‘big freeze’ across the 1962-63 rugby season – which caused no games between Dec-Apr to be played at all.
From a catering and hospitality perspective, the stadium came into its own in the early nineties, with the introduction of new facilities and a state-of-the-art banqueting suite in the Pavilion. At the same time the Paddock area was revamped a reserved for corporate guests and members – with high end catering added to an ever-expanding portfolio for the stadium.
Over the next two decades the rest of the stadium and its stands were improved and renovation (one of which the first time since 1938), with the South Stand (originally built in 1930) demolished to make way the agreement with the Emerald Group, and the subsequently the newly opened Emerald Stand which holds 450 seater banqueting suite – perfect to unwind following a rugby or cricket match.
Corporate Packages and Events at Headingley
Corporate hospitality packages are available at Headingley through our events team and all corporate suites include views of the action with private terraces overlooking the cricket pitch and there’s also an on-site hotel with 36 bedrooms.
Meeting rooms and conference venues are available with bespoke packages on offer for businesses looking to host events such as teambuilding or award ceremonies. Working with our events team will mean your event can be created and built to your exact specification.
Weddings at Headingley
Enjoy your magical day at Headingley, with features including:
- Three rooms licensed to hold wedding and civil ceremonies.
- Ability to host part or all of your wedding day at the stadium
- Take wedding photographs beside both iconic international pitches
- Celebrate your day at a venue steeped in Yorkshire’s sporting history
Again, we can work with you to create bespoke packages and options to ensure your is everything you can wish for!
Upcoming Events
Upcoming events at the venue include the Proms Celebrating the new Headingley Stadium. Taking place on 21st September, these will include performances from Lesley Garret and John Innes, accompanied by the Yorkshire Gala Orchestra.
Find out more about Headingey Stadium here.