The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup is set to be a landmark event in the history of women’s rugby, held in England from August 22 to September 27, 2025. This will be the tenth edition of the quadrennial championship for the world’s best women’s rugby union teams, and it is expected to be the biggest celebration of women’s rugby to date.
Tournament Overview
- Dates: August 22 – September 27, 2025
- Host Country: England
- Significance: Second time England is hosting (previously in 2010); fifth time in the British Isles
- Teams: Expanded to 16 (up from 12 in previous editions)
- Opening Match: England vs. USA at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, Friday, August 22, 19:30 BST
- Final Match: Twickenham Stadium, Saturday, September 27
- Venues: Games spread across eight cities, including London, Brighton, Bristol, Exeter, Manchester, Northampton, Sunderland, and York
Participating Pools
| Pool | Teams |
|---|---|
| A | England, Australia, USA, Samoa |
| B | Canada, Scotland, Wales, Fiji |
| C | New Zealand, Ireland, Japan, Spain |
| D | France, Italy, South Africa, Brazil |
Key Fixtures and Highlights
- The opening weekend begins with England vs. USA in Sunderland.
- Reigning champions New Zealand start their title defense against Spain in York.
- Brazil will make their tournament debut, becoming the first South American team to qualify.
- Matches are scheduled for afternoon kick-offs to boost attendance and provide a family-friendly atmosphere.
- Teams receive at least six rest days between pool games to maximize recovery and performance.
Venues
Matches will be played at iconic locations across England. Highlights include:
- Stadium of Light, Sunderland: Opening match
- Twickenham Stadium, London: Grand final and Bronze final
- Other venues: Ashton Gate (Bristol), Salford Community Stadium (Salford), Sandy Park (Exeter), Franklin’s Gardens (Northampton), York Community Stadium (York), Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium (Brighton and Hove)
Fan and Media Engagement
- Over 300,000 tickets sold already, more than double the previous tournament’s attendance.
- Broadcasting: All matches live on BBC Sport channels, iPlayer, website, and app; radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra.
- Opening show: Pop superstar Anne-Marie to perform during the first match in Sunderland.
Historic Expansion and Legacy
- The expansion to 16 teams reflects the global growth of women’s rugby and a more inclusive competition format.
- Brazil’s debut signifies the broadening reach of the sport.
- A dedicated sustainability programme accompanies the event, promoting positive environmental practices across all host venues.
Path to Glory