Huddersfield's stadium has sold-out for a sports event for the first time in its history.

Tickets for England’s game against Ireland in the Rugby League World Cup have all gone which means there will be 24,542 in the stadium for the game on Saturday, November 2, at 2.30pm.

It is the first game in the competition to sell out with the tournament set to run from October 26 to November 30.

Gareth Davies, managing director at the John Smith’s Stadium said: “This is hugely significant for The Rugby League World Cup, for the John Smith’s Stadium and for Kirklees.

“Although the stadium has historically been full for concerts, it has never actually been full before for a sporting event. We have got close a few times in the past.”

The closest to sell-outs are:

Rugby League Test between Great Britain and New Zealand on November 16, 2002 – 22, 912

Silk Cut Challenge Cup semi final between Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls on March 28, 1999 – 23,223

FA Cup match between Huddersfield Town and Liverpool on December 12, 1999 – 23,678

Mr Davies added: “The actual capacity of the John Smith’s Stadium is 24,542 and as I say, this is the first time in the stadium’s history that it will have been full for a sporting event.

“That is something that all of us at the stadium are immensely proud of. Everyone at KSDL, Kirklees Council and Rugby League World Cup who has been involved is to be congratulated.”

Organisers of the tournament are confident that it will be the best attended Rugby League World Cup ever.

Since the Super League and National Rugby League Grand Finals, interest in the World Cup has grown massively with ticket sales rising day by day.

Tournament director Nigel Wood said: “The immediate pre-tournament period was always seen as crucial to the success of the tournament. Over 35,000 people are visiting the RLWC2013 website every day, and we have had to disappoint some people as, quite frankly, certain category tickets are simply sold out.”

In addition to the sell-out at Huddersfield, fans have also been clamouring for tickets at other venues.

There are no seating tickets left at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington where New Zealand take on Samoa, nor the Workington games where Scotland take on Tonga and Italy.

Mr Wood added: “It’s not just the smaller venues that are going well. The three flagship, premium, events are well on the way to setting new records.

“The opening event at Cardiff is really one not to be missed. An amazing opening ceremony is followed by arguably the biggest game in international Rugby League when England take on Australia and co-hosts Wales play a fascinating-looking Italy team.

“The Rugby League World Cup Final also continues to attract huge numbers. Already 60,000 tickets have gone for the event at Old Trafford on November 30 as it also heads for a sell-out. We have already had to open up new parts of Wembley for the double header semi-final.”

Tickets are available at www.rlwc2013.com/tickets or call the 24-hour ticket hotline on 0844 847 2013.