South Leeds Stadium
Hunslet, West Yorkshire, England
South Leeds Stadium, Hunslet, England — opened 1995, 447 rugby league games hosted, home of Hunslet RLFC (Hunslet Hawks).
Sourcing caveat: Capacity is given as both 4,000 (John Charles Centre for Sport Wikipedia article) and 5,000 (Hunslet RLFC's own club history page) — both figures are reported since they come from independent, credible sources and could not be reconciled.
Ground facts
| Opened | 1995 (Hunslet's own club history and the Rugby League Project results page both date the stadium's opening/first match to 19 November 1995; the John Charles Centre for Sport Wikipedia article instead gives 1996 as the opening year. Both figures are reported here rather than silently picking one.) |
| Home club | Hunslet RLFC (Hunslet Hawks) |
| Games hosted (rugby league, on record) | 447 |
| Top recorded crowd | 2,454 |
| Capacity | 4,000 (two-tier stand at the west end) — one source (Hunslet club history) instead states a 5,000 capacity for the main stand |
| First rugby league match | Hunslet 37-10 Leigh, 19 November 1995, Second Division, attendance 2,350 |
| Years used | 1995–2026 |
| Location | Hunslet, West Yorkshire |
Name history
- South Leeds Stadium — 1995–present (rugby league name, still in use)
- John Charles Centre for Sport — from c.1996 — the athletics/leisure-centre name for the wider complex, also used generically for the venue
Rugby league history
Purpose-built in south Leeds barely half a mile from Hunslet's old Parkside ground, South Leeds Stadium became Hunslet's home in November 1995, ending over two decades of ground-sharing and moves that followed the club's departure from Parkside in the 1970s. It has been Hunslet's settled base ever since, hosting the club through its various league tiers as it rebuilt following the difficult years after leaving its spiritual home. The venue is shared with athletics and swimming facilities as part of the wider John Charles Centre for Sport complex, and is a separate ground from Hunslet's original home, Parkside.
Sources
Data last verified: 11 August 2026.
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