The AJ Bell Stadium is home to Rugby Union’s Sale Sharks and Rugby League’s Salford Red Devils. The stadium has a capacity of 12,000 and was built in 2012 at a cost of £26 million. On average, Sale Sharks get a higher average attendance than Salford Red Devils, however, both sides lease the stadium from the Salford City council who own the stadium.
Table of Contents
Stadium Guide by Rugby Tripper
History
Previous tenants include Manchester United FC Reserves who played at the stadium in the 2013/14 season. The Manchester Titans also had a trial game in 2014 who are an American Football side, however, they didn’t return due to a low attendance of 1,349. England vs Netherlands took place in the stadium during the Women’s Euro 2013 qualifying tournament.
There are 4 stands in the ground, the West Stand, Wooden Spoon Stand, Prinderland Stand and the UKFast Stand. The West and East stands have red seats for Salford and blue seats for Sale Sharks respectively. The UKFast Stand and the Wooden Spoon stand are both all-standing area.
Facilities of the stadium also include offices, player facilities, concessions, community resources, two community outdoor sport pitches, a gym and a club shop for both Sale Sharks and Salford Red Devils. There are also 12 20-person hospitality boxes along with a banqueting hall which can hold 750 people.
The 2016 World Rugby Under 20’s Championship’s used the AJ Bell Stadium as one of the 2 host venues for the tournament. 15 games were held at the stadium including the final where England beat Ireland 45-21.
Two International Rugby League matches have taken place at the AJ Bell Stadium with England beating France and Scotland beating the United States in the Autumn International Series Final and a inter-group game in the 2013 World Cup respectively.