England will stage the 10th Women’s Rugby World Cup from 22 August to 27 September 2025, marking the first return since 2010. With 16 teams – including debutants Brazil – the tournament promises thrilling action and record-breaking attendances (rugbyworldcup.com).
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Tournament Overview
The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 marks the 10th edition of the tournament and the first time since 2010 that England will serve as host nation. The event will run from 22 August to 27 September 2025, featuring the largest field in history with 16 national teams. This expansion reflects the rapid global growth of the women’s game and ensures more opportunities for emerging rugby nations to compete on the world stage (Reuters).
Unlike previous editions, which featured only 12 teams, the 2025 format introduces four pools of four teams, with the top two in each pool advancing to the quarter-finals. This means every team will play at least three matches, giving fans a chance to see their nation compete multiple times and creating a festival atmosphere across the country (World Rugby).
The defending champions are New Zealand’s Black Ferns, six-time winners and one of the most dominant teams in women’s sport (The Guardian). Hosts England Red Roses enter the competition ranked number one in the world and will aim to claim their first home World Cup title. The growth of women’s rugby has been phenomenal, with the 2021 edition (played in 2022 due to the pandemic) breaking attendance and broadcast records. Organisers expect 2025 to exceed those numbers significantly.
Why It Matters
- Largest Women’s Rugby World Cup in history with 16 teams.
- More matches and venues, giving fans greater access to elite women’s rugby.
- England hosting for the first time since 2010, with Twickenham set for a record-breaking final.
- Increased global exposure for emerging rugby nations such as Brazil and Samoa.
- Expected to set new attendance and broadcast records worldwide.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Edition | 10th (first hosted in England since 2010) |
| Teams | 16 national teams |
| Matches | 32 matches across five weeks |
| Host Venues | Eight cities across England |
| Defending Champions | New Zealand (Black Ferns) |
Host Cities and Venues
The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 will be played across eight host cities, bringing world-class women’s rugby to every corner of England. Each venue has been chosen for its rugby heritage, infrastructure and ability to deliver a memorable fan experience (World Rugby).
Venues Overview
| Stadium | City | Capacity | Role in Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twickenham Stadium | London | 82,000 | Final and Bronze Final |
| Stadium of Light | Sunderland | 48,000 | Opening Match: England vs USA |
| Ashton Gate | Bristol | 27,000 | Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals |
| Sandy Park | Exeter | 15,600 | Quarter-Final Host |
| Franklin’s Gardens | Northampton | 15,200 | Pool Stage Matches |
| Salford Community Stadium | Manchester | 12,000 | Pool Stage Matches |
| York Community Stadium | York | 8,500 | Pool Stage Matches |
| Brighton & Hove Community Stadium | Brighton | 31,800 | Pool Stage Matches |
The spread of venues ensures fans nationwide can witness top-level women’s rugby. London’s Twickenham Stadium, the home of English rugby, will host the final on 27 September 2025, while Sunderland’s Stadium of Light will set the tone with a high-profile opener between England and USA. According to BBC Sport, early ticket sales indicate strong demand across all venues, with Twickenham and Sunderland expected to sell out quickly.
Opening Match and Pool Stage
The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 kicks off on 22 August 2025 with a high-profile clash between England and USA at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light. The opening fixture is expected to attract a full house, reflecting the surging interest in women’s rugby, as reported by Reuters. The pool stage will run over three weekends, with each of the 16 teams guaranteed a minimum of three matches. This format is designed to provide maximum exposure for emerging rugby nations (World Rugby).
Pool Composition
| Pool A | Pool B | Pool C | Pool D |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | Canada | New Zealand | France |
| Australia | Scotland | Ireland | Italy |
| USA | Wales | Japan | South Africa |
| Samoa | Fiji | Spain | Brazil |
Each pool will be hosted at different venues, ensuring local engagement across England. For example, Pool A matches will be concentrated in Sunderland and Northampton, while Pool C featuring defending champions New Zealand will see games played in York and Manchester. Match days are designed to minimise travel for players and provide weekend festival atmospheres in each host city. Full schedules, including individual match kick-off times, can be found via rugbyworldcup.com.
Knockout Phase
The knockout phase of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 will start on 20 September 2025, immediately following the pool stage. The top two teams from each of the four pools advance to the quarter-finals, with winners moving on to the semi-finals and eventually the final at Twickenham Stadium on 27 September 2025. The structure mirrors previous Rugby World Cups but with a greater number of teams, offering more knockout fixtures and increased global visibility (World Rugby).
Quarter-Finals
| Date | Venue | Match |
|---|---|---|
| 20 September | Ashton Gate, Bristol | Winner Pool A vs Runner-up Pool B |
| 20 September | Sandy Park, Exeter | Winner Pool B vs Runner-up Pool A |
| 21 September | Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton | Winner Pool C vs Runner-up Pool D |
| 21 September | Salford Community Stadium, Manchester | Winner Pool D vs Runner-up Pool C |
Semi-Finals
Both semi-finals will be staged at Ashton Gate in Bristol, a modern facility well-suited for back-to-back world-class fixtures. According to BBC Sport, ticket demand is already high, highlighting the growing popularity of the women’s game.
| Date | Venue | Match |
|---|---|---|
| 26 September | Ashton Gate, Bristol | Winner QF1 vs Winner QF2 |
| 26 September | Ashton Gate, Bristol | Winner QF3 vs Winner QF4 |
Bronze Final & Final
The closing weekend on 27 September 2025 will see the Bronze Final followed by the Final at Twickenham Stadium, the iconic home of English rugby and one of the largest rugby venues in the world. This will be the first time the Women’s Rugby World Cup final is held at Twickenham, a clear signal of the sport’s rising profile (Reuters).
Broadcasting & Fan Zones
The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 will receive unprecedented media coverage. In the United Kingdom, BBC Sport has secured exclusive broadcasting rights, ensuring every match is available live on free-to-air television, BBC iPlayer, and BBC Radio 5 Live (BBC Sport). Internationally, agreements are in place to broadcast matches across Europe, North America, Asia and Oceania, making this tournament one of the most widely accessible women’s rugby events in history.
For fans without match tickets, official fan zones will be established in all eight host cities. These venues will feature large screens, interactive games, music, and food areas, creating festival-style experiences for families and supporters. London’s fan zone will be located at Battersea Power Station, while other cities will use central parks or iconic squares to maximise attendance (World Rugby).
According to early planning documents, several fan zones will remain open beyond match days, encouraging community participation and grassroots engagement throughout the tournament. These initiatives are designed to build on the legacy of the event, encouraging more young girls and women to take up rugby (Reuters).
Favorites & Historical Context
The England Red Roses enter the tournament ranked number one in the world and are considered by many analysts to be the team to beat. They have dominated the Women’s Six Nations in recent years, including an unbeaten run in 2024, and will enjoy the unique advantage of home support (BBC Sport).
The defending champions, New Zealand’s Black Ferns, remain a powerhouse, having lifted the trophy six times since the inaugural Women’s Rugby World Cup in 1991. Their combination of speed, skill and big-game experience makes them a strong favorite to reach the final (Reuters).
France and Canada are widely seen as dark horses. France, consistent semi-finalists, boast one of the strongest defensive units in women’s rugby, while Canada’s physical style and improving depth have made them regular challengers at the top level (The Guardian).
Historical Champions
| Year | Host | Champion | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 (delayed 2021 edition) | New Zealand | New Zealand | England |
| 2017 | Ireland | New Zealand | England |
| 2014 | France | England | Canada |
| 2010 | England | New Zealand | England |
The Women’s Rugby World Cup has grown from a niche event in 1991 to a global sporting spectacle with record attendances and broadcast audiences. The 2025 edition is expected to push new boundaries, both on and off the field, cementing the tournament’s status as a flagship moment in women’s sport (World Rugby).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When does the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 start?
The tournament kicks off on 22 August 2025 with the opening match between England and USA.
Where will the final be played?
The final will be played at Twickenham Stadium, London on 27 September 2025.
How many teams are participating?
A record 16 teams will compete, up from 12 in previous editions.
Which teams are considered favorites?
England, New Zealand, France and Canada are widely seen as top contenders.
How can fans watch the matches?
In the UK, all matches will be broadcast by BBC Sport on TV, BBC iPlayer and BBC Radio 5 Live. International broadcasting deals cover all major rugby markets.