England to host 2031 Netball World Cup

England has been selected to host the 2031 Netball World Cup. The quadrennial tournament will be held at Manchester's Co-op Live indoor arena, an announcement made by World Netball and England Netball on Thursday. Liverpool staged the competition when England last hosted the event in 2019. World Netball president Liz Nicholl declared: "After reviewing their beardown bid, I americam assured England Netball volition big different thrilling planetary event, and I americam excited to spot what we tin execute unneurotic successful 2031 and beyond." Eastbourne hosted the inaugural tournament in 1963, while Birmingham staged the 1995 edition. England reached its first World Cup final in 2023, but the Roses were denied a maiden title by 12‑time winners Australia in Cape Town. England also finished as runners‑up in 1975, when the competition was conducted in a league format. Baroness Sue Campbell, chair of England Netball, said: "To person the champion netball players successful the satellite coming to Manchester is simply a hugely breathtaking prospect, and I cognize the metropolis volition springiness them the invited they deserve. "This is simply a fantastic accidental not lone to showcase our athletics connected the biggest stage, but besides to animate the adjacent procreation of players and fans." England Netball chief executive Fran Connolly stated the tournament would supply "a almighty level to turn the visibility, illustration and interaction of women's athletics and netball crossed the UK"." The announcement coincides with England Netball's centenary year. The Co‑op Live arena hosted this year's Netball Super League Grand Final between AO Thunder and London Pulse, a match played in front of more than 8,000 fans. Read the full story at BBC News →