The milestone has been marked today with organisers treating the people of Newcastle to a performance outside the famous Newcastle Theatre Royal by a selection of children from the RLWC2021 Dance Movement Group.

50 days to go also marked the beginning of The National Lottery Trophies Tour which will see the tournament’s three trophies travel across the country visiting the host towns and cities which will play a crucial role in delivering all 61 matches, before finishing back in Newcastle ahead of the opening game.  

To mark the milestone, the trophies will visit Warrington on Tuesday 20 September to bring the excitement of the tournament to local communities, schools, leisure centres and the town centre.   

As well as visiting key venues and communities, The National Lottery Trophies Tour will also take in Super League, Championship and League One clubs and a variety of other exciting events throughout the 50 days and will visit Huddersfield, the birthplace of rugby league, on Monday 29 August to celebrate the sport’s 127th birthday.

RLWC2021’s recently unveiled mascot, RugBee, was also a key figure on the day taking part in a photocall at the Monument before heading down to another prominent Newcastle landmark, The Tyne Bridge, and venturing on a zip wire across the river.

It was a typically industrious day for RugBee, who will be making their way around the country as part of the Trophies Tour before being a key part of every one of Rugby League World Cup’s 61 matches.

Cllr Tony Higgins, cabinet member for leisure and community, said: “Excitement is really starting to build in Warrington, and we can’t wait to see the town come alive to celebrate the Rugby League World Cup.

“For the first time ever, we will also be hosting the prestigious Papua New Guinea Men’s team and can’t wait to give them a big Warrington welcome. We are also excited to witness the incredible atmosphere at a packed-out Halliwell Jones Stadium for the four men’s games and the first ever PDRL World Cup Final too.”

Rugby League World Cup 2021 Chief Executive, Jon Dutton, said: “We are very excited to be creating such a symbolic and iconic moment in Newcastle as we begin the final countdown to the tournament kicking off in the city on 15 October.

“With just 50 days to go until the biggest, best and most inclusive Rugby League World Cup in history, I am calling on everyone with a passion for rugby league to get involved and become advocates for this tournament to help us make it the greatest tournament in the sport’s 127-year history.”

To find out more about the Rugby League World Cup in Warrington, visit: warrington.gov.uk/rlwc2021.