One of the world's biggest sporting events is coming to Leicester.
The Foxes' King Power Stadium has been chosen to host three matches in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Leicester is the only city in the East Midlands selected to host matches in the tournament, in which the top 20 teams in the world compete for the prestigious Webb Ellis Cup.
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "This is brilliant news. Leicester already has a great reputation as a sporting city and it is a real privilege to be able to take part in hosting the Rugby World Cup.
"This hugely-popular event will also be a major boost to the city's economy, bringing in thousands of visiting fans.
"I can assure the fans and the teams alike they will have a warm welcome in Leicester."
Sir Peter said the city council would be organising festival-style events to create a World Cup party atmosphere.
Fans who cannot get tickets will still be able to enjoy a "Festival of Rugby" in Leicester, with plans in place for "fan fests" around the city.
The city council said last night that Sir Peter had approved the setting aside of up to £490,000 to meet the anticipated costs associated with hosting world cup matches.
This would be funded "from corporate underspends in 2012/13".
When this decision was made, Leicester had put in a bid to host four matches.
The authority said the estimated cost to the city of hosting the three confirmed matches was £445,000.
Leicester City FC chief executive officer Susan Whelan said the event would be "memorable", adding: "We are extremely honoured to be playing a role in this fantastic achievement for the city of Leicester."
Leicester City FC's King Power Stadium was chosen as one of the world cup venues after a selection process which saw Leicester Tigers' Welford Road ground discounted.
England Rugby 2015 said the 24,000-capacity Welford Road was rejected because the pitch was not big enough to meet International Rugby Board standards.
It also said there were better facilities for the crowd and media at the 32,000-capacity King Power Stadium, which will be known as Leicester City Stadium for the six-week tournament.
John Griffiths, chairman of the Tigers' away supporters club, said he was disappointed Welford Road was not chosen.
"Rugby should be played at a rugby ground, but at least we have the games in Leicester," he said.
The games to be played in Leicester are Argentina v Tonga on Sunday, October 4, the qualifiers from Americas 1 and Europe 2 on Tuesday, October 6, and Argentina v the qualifiers from Africa 1 on Sunday, October 11.
A Leicester City FC spokesman said England Rugby Union and the world cup organisers were liaising with the Premier League and the Football League to avoid any fixture clashes.
Leicester will host two games featuring Argentina – ranked eighth in the world – seven days apart. It means fans could spend a week in the city to support their team.
Tigers players who could feature at the Leicester games are new wing signing Gonzalo Comacho and prop Marcos Ayerza – both Argentinian – and Tongan flanker Steve Mafi.
The South Americans could also call on former Tigers favourite Horacio Agulla, now a winger with Bath.
Young rugby players from Judgemeadow Community College, in Evington, have tasted what it will be like for the international teams who are coming to Leicester.
They were given a coaching session on the pitch at the King Power Stadium by England rugby coaches.
Jade Benford, 12, of Northfields, said: "It is amazing that the Rugby World Cup is coming to Leicester. I'd love to come along and see a game if I can get a ticket."
Muhammad Salejee, 13, of Highfields, said: "I am going to tell my dad so he has plenty of time to make sure I get to watch at least one match here."
www.rugbyworldcup.com
