Midlands Hurricanes are delighted to confirm that the club will relocate from the Alexander Stadium to Avery Fields ahead of the new season, after securing a 20-year lease that provides real stability and a strong platform for the future. Located in Bearwood and just a 15-minute drive (or 20-minute bus-ride) from the centre of Birmingham, Avery Fields is the perfect venue for taking in the greatest sport in the world in the heart of the Second City.
This move represents a positive step forward for the club. Avery Fields offers a true rugby environment, a stronger sense of identity, a better atmosphere and a place the Hurricanes can genuinely call home for many years to come. It also allows us to grow our already strong relationship with Bournville RFC, with the two clubs working together to develop both codes in the region. The new venue will create a more engaging matchday experience, bringing supporters closer to the action and helping to build the kind of vibrant rugby atmosphere that players and fans deserve.
Pre-match experiences for fans will also be improved, with Avery Fields in walking distance of several pubs, restaurants and fast-food options. These options will all be in addition to drinking and eating in our new impressive clubhouse before each game.
Securing a 20-year home strengthens the Hurricanes off the field as well. Lower operating costs and better control of the venue will allow the club to reinvest more into key areas including the playing squad, community programmes, fan growth and commercial development. It gives the club a stronger and more secure platform to grow. It also gives the club greater control over how the venue is used and developed, which will support improving facilities, matchday activity and supporter experience. An initial temporary 340-seater stand is being installed next week and plans are in motion to install a permanent 350-seater covered stand with scope to expand this in due course.
Just as importantly, Avery Fields places the Hurricanes right at the centre of an established rugby community. This move is about much more than changing stadiums. It is about helping rugby league grow across the Midlands and properly connecting with local people, schools, clubs and future players. Being based in a true rugby setting will allow the Hurricanes to inspire participation and build a stronger pathway for the sport across the region.
Mike Lomas, Chairman of Midlands Hurricanes, said:
The move to Avery Fields is a development which cements Rugby League in Birmingham for another 20 years. This partnership brings together a Rugby League club and a Rugby Union club in the heart of the country who share the same belief in getting more young people playing “Rugby”. This is a truly exciting development.
I want to thank Alistair, Phil and Siggers at Bournville for their support and enthusiasm in making this landmark move happen. I’d also like to thank Birmingham City Council and the Alexander Stadium team for their support over the last three years.
Eorl Crabtree, Managing Director of Midlands Hurricanes, said:
“This move is an important and positive milestone for the club. Securing a 20-year lease at Avery Fields gives us a real rugby home that we can shape, develop and grow in for the future. It makes us more sustainable, it improves the matchday experience for our supporters and it puts us right in the heart of a thriving rugby community.
Most importantly, it helps us grow rugby league in the Midlands and truly connect with the people and communities we represent. This is not a backwards step. It is a smart and ambitious move that helps us build a competitive, resilient and proudly Midlands rugby league club.”
Phil Maynard, Managing Director of Avery Fields, home of Bournville RFC, also said:
We are absolutely delighted to welcome Midlands Hurricanes to Avery Fields at the start of what we hope will be a long and successful association.
We hosted the Hurricanes’ Community Day last year and we have since had productive discussions with Mike Lomas and Eorl Crabtree about making Avery Fields their new home in the city.
The Rugby Football League have also been very supportive of this initiative and we thank them for their help. It’s an exciting project that can only be mutually beneficial for both clubs and which will provide year-round rugby at Avery Fields.
We look forward to welcoming the Hurricanes, their players, staff and supporters to their new home for their opening Betfred Championship match against Newcastle Thunder on January 18 with home matches against some famous rugby league clubs including Oldham, Workington, Batley, Swinton and Rochdale Hornets to follow.
In the longer term we will work closely with the Hurricanes to help them develop their brand, increase their profile in Birmingham and hopefully to achieve their ambition of becoming a Super League club.
Midlands Hurricanes would like to place on record our sincere thanks to the team at Alexander Stadium for their support and partnership during our time there. The stadium has played an important part in our journey and we are extremely grateful for the support and professionalism we have received.
Our first game at Avery Fields will be our first ever Betfred Championship match vs Newcastle Thunder on Sunday 18 January (14:00 KO). Tickets for that game are now available to purchase HERE. To celebrate this new move, we are also offering all of our Season Ticket holders (including those who buy up to and including the day of the Newcastle game) free hospitality at our Challenge Cup Second Round clash with Banbridge Broncos/Aberavon Fighting Irish on Sunday 25 January (time TBC). If you haven’t secured your 2026 Season Ticket yet, you can do so HERE.
The club looks forward to welcoming supporters, partners and the wider community to Avery Fields as an exciting new chapter begins.
