While rugby and football may be two completely different sports, they have a closer connection than many people think.

Rugby was created from an early version of football in 1823. Back then, there were few unified rules in sports, and most games were played between universities, colleges and schools. Different regions had different rules on how to play the game, and it’s said that rugby originated at the school of rugby.

Although rugby was originally considered just another version of football, it soon developed into its very own sport. 1871 saw the establishment of the Rugby Football Union, which established the first unified rules of the sport. From here, the modern game was formed, eventually splitting into rugby union and rugby league in 1895.

Both rugby and football are some of the most popular sports in the UK to bet on. You can find bonus deals such as LiveScore offers to help you bet on major rugby and football matches. Over time, the differences between rugby and football have grown, but a lot of football and rugby clubs still share grounds. While the pitches are used in different ways, both use a similar size pitch, and, in many cases, rugby and football teams play on the same pitch. Here are some of the main stadiums which host both football and rugby games.

Old Trafford

Old Trafford is one of the most famous stadiums in the UK. As home to Manchester United, it’s also well known throughout the world of football. However, football isn’t the only sport that’s played here, as the grounds have also hosted rugby matches before. Constructed in the year 1910, the stadium is of historical importance. Today, it’s been modernised and holds up to 74,000 people. It’s used most regularly by Manchester United but has also hosted games for the Rugby League World Cup on three separate occasions. Old Trafford saw top-level rugby matches played on its pitches in 1995, 2013 and 2021.

OL Stadium

Parc Olympic Lyonnais, or OL Stadium, is found in Decines-Charpieu, a town based in the Lyon Metropolis of France. It’s home to the football team Olympic Lyonnais but also hosts rugby matches too. It was constructed in 2012, making it a relatively new stadium that has plenty of modern technology and amenities. It can hold up to 59,000 people, and while it’s predominately a football ground, its record attendance was during a rugby game. The OL Stadium has held rugby games in the past, hosting matches between teams in the Top 14. Additionally, OL Stadium will be hosting games during the 2023 Rugby League World Cup.

Stade de France

Stade de France is the French national stadium, and with a capacity of 80,000, it’s the seventh-largest stadium in Europe. As well as hosting national football matches, it’s also used by the national French rugby union team and athletic competitions too. The stadium is used by local rugby clubs Stade Francais and Racing Metro 92. It regularly hosts some of the biggest rugby competitions in France, such as the Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue and Challenge de France. It will be one of the host stadiums during the 2023 Rugby League World Cup.

Wembley Stadium

Wembley is the UK’s largest stadium, holding up to 90,000 spectators. It’s most commonly used as a stadium for the England national football team. However, Wembley is used for everything from boxing matches to big concerts. The original Wembley Stadium was constructed in 1923, but the current version is a modernised stadium completed in 2007. Wembley has hosted both rugby league and rugby union matches, with the rugby league challenge cup final being played at Wembley annually since 1929.