London adds a new landmark sporting competition to its calendar today, with the announcement that the 2015 Rugby World Cup will be played in England.

Non-fans of the funny shaped ball may be surprised to learn the Rugby World Cup is the world’s third biggest sporting event. (Only the Olympics and FIFA World Cup beat it!)

The 2015 World Cup will run from 4 September to 17 October, and the final will be played at Twickenham.

Other London venues taking part include Wembley and the Emirates Stadium.

During the tournament, matches will be played in 10 cities at 12 grounds across the country, including Old Trafford in Manchester; Anfield in Liverpool; and Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, the only non-English venue.

The Rugby Football Union beat competitive bids from South Africa and Italy to win the tournament.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson is thrilled that England won the bid: “Rugby has a passionate and loyal following in England.

“With the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2010, the men’s tournament in 2015 is another feather in the cap for the sport and adds to London’s outstanding calendar of international sporting events – from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to the ICC Twenty20 World Cup, and the NFL at Wembley to the Tour de France Grand Depart.

“London has some of the finest sporting venues in the world – Twickenham, of course, as well as Wembley and the Emirates Stadium. But from 2012 there will be another, excellent new venue, the Olympic Stadium. We will discuss … it providing another base with the RFU and work with them to ensure the 2015 Rugby World Cup is the best ever tournament.

“And it goes without saying that rugby fans heading to the capital from across the world in 2015 will also enjoy a hearty welcome, as well as an unbeatable range of other activities and attractions.”