Three months out from the 2017 event in Australia and New Zealand, the Rugby Football League has given itself the biggest ever lead-in time and set out its stall at the first of three nationwide information events.

"We're getting in early, meeting the decision-makers of this region, the decision-makers of Leeds and Yorkshire and the decision-makers of London over the next three days," said Nigel Wood, chairman of RLWC2021 Ltd.

"One of the things we made a point of saying after 2013 was that before a ball is kicked in the 2017 World Cup, we'd make known where the World Cup would be played in 2021 and indeed in 2025."

Wood, executive lead officer Jon Dutton and former internationals Kevin Sinfield and Paul Sculthorpe made a presentation to businessmen which carried the theme of legacy.

"It is important to recognise the role of Government, who have made £25million available, not only to make the tournament a success but to help ensure there is a tangible legacy," Wood said.

Organisers hope to double the 450,000 aggregate crowd from the successful staging of the 2013 World Cup by England and Wales and anticipate drawing 150 million viewers across 115 territories, with all 31 matches to be shown live on the BBC.

Dutton revealed that the number of venues for 2021 will be increased from the initial plan of 12 to 14, all with a minimum capacity of 12,000, and 80 per cent of matches will held in the game's traditional northern heartland.

"There are no pre-selections, we will work from a blank sheet of paper," said Dutton, who announced regional workshops would be held early in 2018 giving regions six months to formulate bids to host games and teams.

Wood said the 16-team event in 2021, which would be run alongside women's and wheelchair tournaments, would be used as a springboard for the ground-breaking 2025 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States and Canada.

It will be the the first time the tournament is staged outside Europe or Australasia and Wood, who is also chairman of the Rugby League International Federation, says the groundwork is already being laid in the States.

"There is a lot going on in America and not just internationally," Wood said. "The promoters are also looking to put on other matches there. There is a consistent dialogue between the World Cup promoters and the NRL about whether or not they could stage other events there."

Toronto are drawing 6,000 crowds for their inaugural season in League 1 and Wood says he would be happy for England to play a match across the Atlantic.

"Of course, why wouldn't you be?" he said. "I think the world has shrunk, people are more used to going around the world than they used to do and there are opportunities, not just in America, but in the Far East and the Middle East.

"Rugby league has to lift its head up a little bit and look at where there is an opportunity.

"We've got a fantastic sport and it is beholden upon the administrators to provide opportunities for the sport to be showcased on the widest possible footprint and to give the players the chance to experience new cultures as well.

"It is an interesting time to be a sportsman because different regions are bidding for tournaments."