Royal visit and new cafe opening during historic week for Wakefield Trinity
It was a week to remember for everyone involved at Wakefield Trinity, with the club celebrating the opening of its new cafe and welcoming a royal visitor.
The Club House, the brand new cafe at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, opened at the ground last Thursday, January 29, with views overlooking the pitch.
It will be open seven days a week, 8am to 4pm on Monday through to Saturday, and 9am to 4pm on Sunday. It will also be open on matchdays, as well as on three to four evenings per week.
Wakefield Trinity owner Matt Ellis said: “What we have built suits the modern world we live in, a really popular cafe. And it is unique to have one overlooking a professional rugby stadium and pitch.
“It will be a fantastic venue on matchday to create a more raucous atmosphere. It will be a darts-style atmosphere pre and post-game for people to let their hair down and have a good time.”
He added: “It has big screen TVs, memorabilia and quality food, and there is a great atmosphere.
“I’d like to urge people in Wakefield to give it a try.”
Further ground improvements ahead of the 2026 season include a new sound system, while plans have been recently approved to take the Belle Vue capacity to 11,000.
He said: “The site feels alive now. When I took over, when rugby wasn’t there, the place was dead and nothing was going on.
“Now there’s a club shop, a cafe on site and there are events day-in, day-out. It’s full of activity and it’s great.
“I want to drive some more people to come to the cafe, to come to a game.”
Two days before the cafe opening, the club was honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales on a special visit.
Princess Catherine, rugby league’s royal patron, stopped by the DIY Kitchens Stadium for a celebration of the valuable community projects that support thousands of people within the Wakefield District.
She saw first hand the work that the Wakefield Trinity Community Foundation does, including the In Touch sessions, which aim to tackle social isolation among the elderly, as well as Inspiring Futures, which hopes to reduce behavioural difficulties in young people through the power of rugby league.
Wakefield Trinity CEO, Craig Barrass, said it was “an immensely proud day for everyone connected to Wakefield Trinity”.