Murrayfield to host 2009 HEC Final

Final setting: Murrayfield will host the 2009 HEC Final

The 2009 Heineken Cup Final will be played at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

The 67,778 capacity Murrayfield Stadium, which previously staged the 2005 final when Toulouse clinched their third tournament triumph, will again host the world's biggest club rugby final and provide the setting for the climax of the European club season.

A crowd of over 51,000 were at Murrayfield for the all-French final three years ago when Stade Français took Toulouse to extra time before Guy Novès' team edged it 18-12 for their unprecedented treble.

"We are delighted to be bringing the Heineken Cup Final back to Scotland and congratulations to Scottish Rugby on securing the Heineken Cup 2009 final for Edinburgh," said ERC Chief Executive, Derek McGrath.

"The 2005 final at Murrayfield was a compelling match and the annual climax of the Heineken Cup tournament is now a must-see event - witness next Saturday's final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff between Munster and Toulouse.

"Scottish sports fans can look forward to a festival of European rugby in Edinburgh in May 2009 and the city and region should also benefit from a significant financial windfall from staging the final.

"In 2005 the final produced a £15m injection into the Edinburgh and Scottish economy, while Wales benefited to the tune of £25m in 2006 and London by £18m in 2007. We look forward to once again working closely with Scottish Rugby to build another great Heineken Cup Final weekend for Edinburgh and Scotland."

The final will be played on the weekend of May 23/24 2009.