Hey everyone, my brother (who does not really follow league (Foolsball fan)) asked me why the world club challenge/series nearly always in the uk? I looked into it and found that only 4 have been in Oceania. Couldn't really give him a definitive answer as to why this was so can someone please explain

The UK is where the market is for it, both in terms of crowd attendance and television. The Australian public and media view it as more of a glorified pre-season friendly.

If I remember correctly, there have been a couple of occasions when the Aussies have declined to host it, and it's had to be "moved" to the UK.

Not sure about that.
More to do with the timing in each season
Two years ago the Roosters got the best crowd in years against Wigan in Sydney.

It's a story that often comes up, usually when people like Gary Hetherington come out and say "we're willing to travel to Australia".

The reality is that if a British team did go there, it would probably only ever be Wigan. I think the NRL would struggle to market any other club to the Australian audiences.

I think it's a logistical thing.

At the moment it's organsised from year to year and up until recently, it's always been a case of will they or won't they play it this year.
If the competition agreed and run properly between the two leagues then it would be simple to organise. But whilst the leagues are involved all the financial risk is loaded onto the clubs.
Last year clubs had to pay to make certain that the games would happen and the aussie clubs would turn up.
People then moan about the games not being at bigger neutral grounds, but with clubs having to bear the financial risk, holding it at home is the prudent option.

If the RFL and the NRL put up the money for the clubs to take part, then they could host it were ever they liked.
I do wonder whether the WCC is even marketed as a seperate TV deal, or whether SKY just scoop it up as part of SL.

Eventually it will click somewhere and get marketed properly, but at the moment with individual clubs carrying the risk, its going to take some time to grow it outside of the clubs involved.

What ever happened to RLForums Bramley?

Lack of ambition.

The same reason it will be held in the clubs home ground and the game will complain about lack of visibility profile and sponsorship.

Yeah o figured it was probably a combination of not being able to market it well in Australia and not being able to fill stadiums. When it was at roosters ground the other year there was over 30,000 people there but also 15,000 empty seats. While attendances here will be lower we will also fill stadiums so will have a better atmosphere, least that's what I was assuming when trying to explain this to my brother.

Wigan had to take about 2 weeks out of their season to go down there last year, the cost of travelling is a lot greater than hosting too I would imagine.

A shame the series isn't played further south. Well one game at least.