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England to host Netball World Cup in 2031

England playing New Zealand in the 2023 Netball World Cup semi-final.Image source, Getty Images
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It's been announced that England will host the 2031 Netball World Cup.

The tournament will be held in Manchester, with 16 countries competing to become world champions.

It will be the fourth time England has hosted the tournament, but the first time the World Cup has been held in the north-west city.

Organisers hope the tournament will inspire more people to get involved in the sport.

What has been announced?

Australia celebrates winning the Netball World Cup in 2023.Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Australia are the current netball world champions, having won the tournament in 2023

The tournament is the biggest event in international netball, with teams from across the globe competing to become world champions.

England has hosted the World Cup three times before, with the most recent being in Liverpool in 2019.

It previously hosted the first-ever Netball World Cup in Eastbourne in 1963, as well as the 1995 tournament in Birmingham.

Australia are the current world champions, having beaten England at the 2023 World Cup in South Africa.

It was the first time England had reached a World Cup final, but the Roses lost 61-45 to Australia, who have won the tournament 12 times.

Baroness Sue Campbell, chair of England Netball, said it was "hugely exciting" to have the best netball players in the world coming to Manchester.

"This is a fantastic opportunity not only to showcase our sport on the biggest stage, but also to inspire the next generation of players and fans," she added.