RUGBY history is to be made at the Macron this summer, with the Whites’ home announced as the venue for a new Challenge Cup semi-final one-day event.

The Rugby Football League have announced the 2018 Ladbrokes Challenge Cup semi-finals will be played as a double-header at the Macron on Sunday, August 5.

For the first time in Challenge Cup history the semi-finals will be played at one venue on the same day and every minute of the fast-paced action will be broadcast live on the BBC.

The Macron, which has a capacity of just under 30,000, is no stranger to rugby league with three World Club Challenge games and three international Test matches being played there between 1998 and 2007.

Wanderers chairman Ken Anderson said: “We are delighted to see rugby league back at the Macron Stadium and are looking forward to welcoming all participating clubs, their supporters and officials.

“With the Little Mix and The Killers concerts taking place in July, we are relishing a busy and exciting summer ahead of the brand new Championship football campaign.”

Rugby Football League interim chief executive Ralph Rimmer said: “The Ladbrokes Challenge Cup is one of the most prestigious competitions in sport and the introduction of a semi-finals double header is a fantastic opportunity to showcase two of the biggest games of the year at one event.

“Fans rarely get the chance to watch two games on one day that have so much riding on them and I am sure everyone attending will have a fantastic time.

“The Dacia Magic Weekend, Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Final and the Betfred Super League Grand Final are all huge events in the sporting calendar and we know they attract fans who do not regularly attend rugby league games.

“We believe this unique event will offer another opportunity for the sport to showcase itself to a wider audience of event goers and casual sports fans.

“We believe that, by creating the double header for the semi-finals, we will elevate the games and create a memorable experience for all those involved.

“Rugby League prides itself on being innovative and trying new concepts meaning we are one of the very few sports who can put together an event with four semi-finalists at one venue, creating what we hope will be a fantastic occasion.

“Our thanks, as ever, go to our broadcast partner for the semi-finals, BBC Sport, who have worked to give us five hours of rugby league coverage on their channels in one afternoon.”

The first semi-final will kick-off at 12.30pm with the second game kicking off at 2.45pm.

Tickets for the double header start at £25 for adults and £12.50 for juniors and can be bought online by visiting rugbyleague.tickethour.co.uk.

Tickets go on sale on Wednesday, June 6 at 10am with club season ticket holders and members entitled to a £4 discount in all categories on tickets bought directly from the club.