A look at the venues for the Rugby World Cup:
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TWICKENHAM
Often referred to simply as "HQ," the home of English rugby is the world's biggest dedicated rugby stadium and the centerpiece of this World Cup. Located to the west of London, its games include the opening match, both semifinal matches, and the final.
Games: England vs. Fiji, Sept. 18; France vs. Italy, Sept. 19; England vs. Wales, Sept. 26; England vs. Australia, Oct. 3; Australia vs. Wales, Oct. 10; Quarterfinal 1, Oct. 17; Quarterfinal 2, Oct. 18; Semifinal 1, Oct. 24; Semifinal 2, Oct. 25; Final, Oct. 31.
Capacity: 81,605.
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MILLENNIUM STADIUM
Regarded by some as the most atmospheric rugby ground in Europe, particularly when the retractable roof is closed, the national stadium of Wales is situated in the centre of Cardiff and hosted the 1999 World Cup final. It is only host venue outside England in this tournament.
Games: Ireland vs. Canada, Sept. 19; Wales vs. Uruguay, Sept. 20; Australia vs. Fiji, Sept. 23; Wales vs. Fiji, Oct. 1; New Zealand vs. Georgia, Oct. 2; France vs. Ireland, Oct. 11; Quarterfinal 2, Oct. 17; Quarterfinal 3, Oct. 18.
Capacity: 74,154.
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WEMBLEY STADIUM
One of the world's most famous sporting arenas, England's national football stadium with the distinctive arch is the biggest of the host venues and one of three in London.
Games: New Zealand vs. Argentina, Sept. 20; Ireland vs. Romania, Sept. 27.
Capacity: 90,000.
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OLYMPIC STADIUM
The centerpiece of the London Olympics in 2012 will be the home of Premier League soccer club West Ham from next year. It is being temporarily reopened for the Rugby World Cup.
Games: France vs. Romania, Sept. 23; New Zealand vs. Namibia, Sept. 24; Ireland vs. Italy, Oct. 4; South Africa vs. United States, Oct. 7; Bronze medal match, Oct. 30.
Capacity: 54,000.
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MANCHESTER CITY STADIUM
The home of two-time Premier League soccer champion Manchester City since 2003, having been the main stadium in the Commonwealth Games a year earlier when it staged Sevens rugby.
Games: England vs. Uruguay, Oct. 10.
Capacity: 55,097.
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ST. JAMES' PARK
A ground built on the site of an execution gallows has been the home of Premier League soccer club Newcastle United since 1892. Located in the centre of the vibrant north-east city.
Games: South Africa vs. Scotland, Oct. 3; New Zealand vs. Tonga, Oct. 9; Samoa vs. Scotland, Oct. 10.
Capacity: 52,409.
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BRIGHTON COMMUNITY STADIUM
Opened in 2011 at a cost of about $140 million, this ground on the south coast of England is the home stadium for Brighton and Hove Albion, a soccer club in the England's second tier.
Games: South Africa vs. Japan, Sept. 19; Samoa vs. United States, Sept. 20.
Capacity: 30,750.
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ELLAND ROAD
The home of Leeds United, one of England's leading football teams in the 1960s and '70s, has hosted one rugby union match — in 1992 when South Africa played the North of England XV. Leeds is better known for being a hotbed of rugby league.
Games: Italy vs. Canada, Sept. 26; Scotland vs. United States, Sept. 27.
Capacity: 37,914.
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KINGSHOLM
The home of Gloucester Rugby Club is known for its boisterous atmosphere, especially in The Shed stand that runs along one side of the pitch and is close to the field of play. Hosted a match in the 1991 Rugby World Cup.
Games: Tonga vs. Georgia, Sept 19; Scotland vs. Japan, Sept. 23; Argentina vs. Georgia, Sept. 25; United States vs. Japan, Oct. 11.
Capacity: 16,500.
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VILLA PARK
One of English soccer's most venerable club stadiums, the home of Premier League team Aston Villa is located in central England and was originally built in a Victorian amusement park on the site of a stately home.
Games: South Africa vs. Samoa, Sept. 26; Australia vs. Uruguay, Sept. 27.
Capacity: 42,785
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LEICESTER CITY STADIUM
The other host venue in central England, this all-seater stadium of Premier League soccer club Leicester City has staged the big European matches of Leicester Tigers — England's most successful rugby club of the last two decades. Preferred to the Tigers' home ground of Welford Road because of its larger capacity.
Games: Argentina vs. Tonga, Oct. 4; Canada vs. Romania, Oct. 6; Argentina vs. Namibia, Oct. 11.
Capacity: 32,312.
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SANDY PARK
The smallest and most remote of all the venues, the home of top-flight rugby team Exeter Chiefs is an intimate stadium in the south-west corner of England. Built in 2006.
Games: Tonga vs. Namibia, Sept. 29; Namibia vs. Georgia, Oct. 7; Italy vs. Romania, Oct. 11.
Capacity: 12,300.
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STADIUM MK
The home of MK Dons, which plays in English soccer's second tier, is situated in a commuter town north of London and has some rugby pedigree after hosting club games for top-flight sides Saracens and Northampton.
Games: France vs. Canada, Oct. 1; Samoa vs. Japan, Oct. 3; Fiji vs. Uruguay, Oct. 6.
Capacity: 30,717.
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