• More than 100,000 tickets applied for in the first week of the ticket application phase, on top of the 130,000 tickets already sold in the presale
• Huge demand for England pool matches and the showpiece final at Twickenham Stadium.
• BBC Gladiator ‘Fury’ and former England sevens player Jodie Ounsley, England internationals Abbie Ward, Hannah Botterman and Jess Breach and rugby legends Maggie Alphonsi, Rachael Burford and Shaunagh Brown joined celebrations in host cities around England calling for fans not to miss out on being a part of history
• There’s still time to apply for tickets to all Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 matches before the application window closes at 11:00 GMT on Tuesday, 19 November via rugbyworldcup.com

The tournament, which kicks off at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland on Friday, 22 August and runs until 27 September, 2025, is set to be the biggest ever. Across the nation, host locations have been celebrating this era-defining tournament arriving in their city – from the iconic waterways of York, to the renaming of train stations in Bristol and Exeter to the transformation of Brighton Beach takeover.

The ticket application window kicked off in York on the River Ouse with England rugby legend Maggie Alphonsi and Yorkshire-born Jodie Ounsley, ‘Fury’ from Gladiators and England sevens’ first deaf female rugby player, alongside a host of local England, South Africa and Ireland fans.

In Exeter, the train station Exeter St Davids was renamed ExeTRY St Davids in honour of Women’s Rugby World Cup arriving there next year. Not to be outdone, in Bristol the station Bristol Temple Meads was renamed Bristol Temple MAUL. Brighton beach was also transformed into ‘Brighton Breach’ in honour of England international and local, Jess Breach to celebrate the return of rugby to Brighton after the city hosted men’s Rugby World Cup matches in 2015.

Several other England rugby players past and present have also been calling for people not to miss out on being part of this historic event next year, including Shaunagh Brown, Rachael Burford, Abbie Ward and Hannah Botterman encouraging locals to get involved and be a part of history in the making.

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 winner Alphonsi is one of those calling for fans to apply for tickets quickly commenting: “It’s incredibly exciting to be able to have a global event like this come back to England. This upcoming tournament has so much potential to deliver a positive wider impact. 2025 will see the biggest and best Women’s Rugby World Cup ever – it’s going to be the tournament you don’t want to miss out on next year.”

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director Sarah Massey, added: “It has been brilliant to work with various host locations in celebrating the arrival of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and with the recent match schedule announcement revealing the thrilling matchups we can expect next year, we’re seeing a lot of excitement building across local communities and beyond.”

Fans will have until 11:00 (GMT) on Tuesday, 19 November to select the matches and price categories they want to apply for via tickets.rugbyworldcup.com, with applicants being notified of the results from Monday, 2 December. Fans will need to enter their payment card details as part of their ticket application, however payment cards will only be charged after 2 December, 2024 if an application has been successful. Only one application per email address is allowed, ensuring a fair process for all.

Don’t miss out – ticket applications for all matches can be submitted until 11:00 GMT 19 November, 2024 via tickets.rugbyworldcup.com.

England 2025 will be the first Rugby World Cup hosted under a new joint-venture model (Local Operating Committee) between World Rugby and the RFU, with funding from the UK Government, which will aim to optimise efficiency and impact across the tournament.

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 is supported by its official partners Mastercard, Capgemini, Gallagher and Asahi.

With thanks to World Rugby

World Rugby has today appointed Ocean Outdoor UK, a leader in premium Digital Out of Home advertising and experiential activations, as their DOOH media partner for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in England.

Under the agreement, Ocean Outdoor will contribute to the success of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 by promoting the tournament in iconic out of home (OOH) advertising spaces in the UK, bringing its unstoppable energy to millions of people.

Having previously delivered successful sports themed events including the recent 22 fan zones for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Paralympics and Wimbledon, Ocean Outdoor has also been entrusted to manage the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 flagship fan zone in London. The location will be unveiled in due course.

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director Sarah Massey said: “We are delighted to welcome Ocean Outdoor as Official DOOH media partner and fan zone provider. Ocean’s creativity and portfolio will help us showcase Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025’s energy across England and the UK, driving interest and building momentum ahead of this generational moment for rugby. The London fan zone delivered by Ocean will allow fans and visitors of England’s iconic capital to experience Rugby World Cup like never before.”

Ocean Outdoor Head of Content and Sponsorship Kevin Henry added: “Ocean’s partnership with World Rugby extends our programme of world class sports content and allows us to build on the huge success of this year’s fan zones which have attracted record outdoor audiences.  

 “The chance to showcase world class women’s rugby is another milestone in our mission to improve access to sport at all levels. Working closely with our landlords and brand partners across multiple formats, we hope to inspire even more women and girls to enjoy, participate and thrive in sport.” 

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 takes place from 22 August to 27 September, 2025 in England across eight host locations. Fans have the opportunity to apply for tickets for all matches until 11:00 GMT on Tuesday, 19 November at tickets.rugbyworldcup.com.

With thanks to World Rugby

With a little under 300 days to go until Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 kicks off in England and with more than 130,000 tickets already sold, fans can now apply for tickets across all matches in what promises to be the biggest celebration of women’s rugby.

As excitement continues to sweep across the host nation and beyond following the match schedule announcement, the ticket application phase will launch from 11:00 (GMT) on 5 November, giving fans two weeks to apply for a chance to see the world’s best 16 teams and rugby’s biggest stars compete across the length and breadth of England.

With the number of tickets sold during the presale period nearly surpassing the total number of tickets ever sold for a Women’s Rugby World Cup, fans are urged not to miss out, with high demand expected for matches featuring hosts England, the knockout stages, and the highly coveted final.

Fans will have from 11:00 (GMT) Tuesday, 5 November until 11:00 (GMT) on Tuesday, 19 November to select the matches and price categories they want to apply for via tickets.rugbyworldcup.com, with applicants being notified of the results from Monday, 2 December. Fans will need to enter their payment card details as part of their ticket application, however payment cards will only be charged after 2 December, 2024 if an application has been successful. Only one application per email address is allowed, ensuring a fair process for all.

The two-week application window provides an equal opportunity for fans around the world to plan their England 2025 experience without stress and allow high demand tickets to be allocated in a fair and equitable way via the use of ballots.

Fans can increase their chance of success by selecting the “Boost your chances” option to accept alternative price categories, giving flexibility if their preferred tickets are unavailable. Additionally, demand indicators on the website will help fans gauge interest levels for each match.

The two-week application window provides an equal opportunity for fans around the world to plan their England 2025 experience without stress, and allow high demand tickets to be allocated in a fair and equitable way via the use of ballots.

With such exceptional demand for tickets, fans are urged to secure their tickets now through the only official website tickets.rugbyworldcup.com and be part of an unforgettable and historic tournament.

Fans can take their match-day experience to the next level with a range of ticket-inclusive premium packages. All available packages are on sale now. Fans can guarantee their place today with RWC Experiences at experiences.rugbyworldcup.com.

With thanks to World Rugby

Ticketmaster Sport has been selected by World Rugby as the Official Ticketing Service Provider for Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025.

For the first time in tournament history, the showcase event will be hosted in eight different cities across the host nation, offering more fans the opportunity to experience world-class rugby closer to home, bringing communities together in an era-defining moment for women’s rugby.

As the Official Ticketing Service Provider, Ticketmaster is bringing its top-tier digital ticketing tech to make sure every fan has an easy and enjoyable experience. With its tried –and tested white-label technology, used at major sporting events worldwide, Ticketmaster is making it easier than ever for fans to get their tickets, access venues, and enjoy the action.

Record-breaking pre-sales

Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 Managing Director Sarah Massey said: “Ticketmaster is playing a key role in World Rugby’s vision to grow the women’s game globally, by making the sport more accessible and more relevant to a wider audience.

“The public response to the tournament’s opening and finals matches presale has been incredible with over 65,000 tickets snapped up in September with more to be announced soon. It is a record for Women’s Rugby World Cup, clearly cementing the event as the must-see sporting event of 2025 in the UK.”

With the match schedule announced, fans can start planning. An application process for all matches – including a limited number of tickets for the final – will go live from 11:00 (GMT) on 5 November at tickets.rugbyworldcup.com, and it’s expected to be a hot ticket for sports and entertainment fans.

Diverse and accessible venues

England 2025 is set to be the biggest ever Women’s tournament, with 16 teams competing and the world’s best players showcasing their talent in Sunderland, Brighton, Bristol, Exeter, Northampton, Manchester, York, and London. With 95 per cent of the country within two hours of a match, it’s never been easier to catch the action. England will open their campaign with the first match at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland on 22 August, a spectacle not to miss.

Twickenham Stadium, with its 82,000-seat capacity, will host the bronze final and final on 27 September, where a new match attendance world record for women’s rugby is expected.

Chairman of Ticketmaster Sport Adam Newsam said: “Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 is going to transform the sport, both in the UK and around the world. We’re proud to help World Rugby set a new standard for fan experience, bring new audiences into the sport, and inspire the next generation of rugby players.”

For more information on ticketing and upcoming announcements about Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025, visit rugbyworldcup.com/2025/newsletter.

With thanks to World Rugby

First the pools:

The 2025 RWC will be the first to include 16 nations since 2002. Regrettably the likely outcomes remain the same. Delightful as that is for the favoured nations, a competition that has thrown up only three winners across thirty-three years and nine tournaments could really do with a shake-up.

This is how things might develop, from the pool stages to the final

The four pools allow two to progress; my guesses shown in red:

England, Samoa, USA, Australia
Canada, Fiji, Wales, Scotland
New Zealand, Spain, Japan, Ireland
France, Brazil, Italy, South Africa

By my reckoning that would lead to these quarter-finals:

England v Scotland
France v Ireland
– leading to:
Semi-final: England v France

And:

NZ v Italy
Canada v Australia
– leading to:
Semi-final: NZ v Canada

Final: The Red Roses v the Black Ferns yet again!

Guesstimates of this sort are based heavily on past results and past experience. What the rare neutral observer will be looking for are the big upsets, the shocks that tingle.

They have happened in the past, most notably when the Black Ferns lost to Ireland in 2014. There could be more this time. Teams have been rising and falling over the past year, WXV giving them an added opportunity to test their mettle.

Among the Six Nations Ireland and Scotland have prospered, France, Italy and Wales not producing the goods. One more 6N tournament awaits in March and April, another opportunity for the odds to swing.

With the smaller Pacific Four group, we’ve already seen a change of cast. Australia qualified for WXV1 in 2023, only to be displaced by the USA this year. But the Wallaroos are on the rise again; the Eagles finding it hard to gain momentum.

What most warm-hearted supporters want is to see the outsiders making a mark. They could include one or both of the Oceania sides and the Bokkies. Standards are rising there at a rate. The question is whether the gap in attainment can close fast enough for a tournament that is, as I type, 303 days away.

One fascinating area of doubt comes with selection. What steps will the sixteen managements take to ensure the strongest possible squad? I’m thinking primarily of Sevens players. Recent evidence has proved that simply drafting in your top stars from the SVNS Series doesn’t automatically produce the desired effect. Adjustment from the one code to the other is tricky.

If players are invited in, then it needs to be at an early stage and for good. You can argue that both France and NZ have suffered from trying to keep both plates spinning. The Ferns won a glorious gold medal at the Paris Olympics, but their 15s squad has lost its sheen of invincibility. Les Bleues have fallen between two stools.

Second, the Schedules

The organisers have tried to time the matches to suit the largest number of spectators, so they all start at the weekend. Kick-off times range from noon to 20.15, which does seem rather late for families needing to travel home a distance post-match.

Each management and squad will have its own idea of the perfect sequence of games. To the innocent outsider it might seem best to play the strongest opponent last. If so, three of the four home nations have struck lucky: England play Australia last; Ireland play New Zealand and Wales play Fiji.

If their concern is to have a (relatively) easy run-in, then England get the show on the road against the USA at the Stadium of Light, Ireland start against Japan, but Scotland take on Wales in Salford. That is one crucial match to note; there are plenty of others.

Full details available @ x.com/rugbyworldcup/status/1848621161103446141

World Rugby has announced the match schedule for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, setting the stage for six weekends of compelling competition in what promises to be the largest celebration of women’s rugby.

A spectacular opening weekend will see hosts England face USA at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on Friday, 22 August 2025, while reigning champions New Zealand will begin their title defence against Spain at York Community Stadium on Sunday, 24 August 2025.

Brazil, who became the first team from South America to qualify for a Women’s Rugby World Cup earlier this year, will make their tournament debut against South Africa at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton on Sunday, 24 August 2025.

The match schedule has been developed with team and fan experience at heart, with exciting matchups in each of the eight host locations, family friendly kick-off times and optimised team travel. Aligned with World Rugby standards, each team will also benefit from a minimum of six rest days between pool matches enabling the world’s top teams to prepare and perform at their best.

VIEW THE FULL MATCH SCHEDULE HERE >>

Six double header fixtures will take place during the pool stages, generating a festival atmosphere in the host locations and creating a day-out for families and local communities. With child prices available at all matches including the opening and knock-out matches and a vast majority of kick-off times in the afternoon, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 promises to be the family event of the year inspiring the next generation of players in England.

The pool stage will culminate in a huge weekend of matches across four venues, with the two best teams on competition points in each pool qualifying for the quarter-finals and the knockout phase.

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director, Sarah Massey, said: “The confirmation of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 match schedule brings a wave of excitement as fans in the host nation and around the globe can now mark their calendars for this era-defining tournament.

“With thrilling matchups and unforgettable moments guaranteed across the length and breadth of the country, the stage is set for the world’s top teams to showcase the very best of women’s rugby. Whether you’re a rugby fan or a newcomer, join us and be part of this unstoppable energy and historic moment!”

With 95 per cent of the population in England within two hours of a match venue, fans will have an unprecedented opportunity to see rugby’s biggest stars in action, while host cities are getting ready to welcome international travelling fans with iconic and vibrant local experiences.

With excitement building, fans will have the opportunity to apply for tickets for all matches from 11:00 (GMT) on Tuesday 5 November until 11:00 (GMT) on Tuesday 19 November. Ballots will be used for any price categories which are oversubscribed. Fans can register to be the first to hear about ticket news here.

Prior to the two-week ticket application phase, Worldwide Partner Mastercard is offering its cardholders access to a 48-hour priority sale for all matches from 11:00 (GMT+1) today until 11:00 (GMT+1) on Thursday 24 October at tickets.rugbyworldcup.com. Only Mastercard payments will be accepted during this priority window.

With thanks to World Rugby

The four British Isles captains were all present, plus squads of highly excited youngsters to add unwavering support.

The selections made:

Pool A: England, Samoa, USA, Australia
Pool B: Canada, Fiji, Wales, Scotland
Pool C: New Zealand, Spain, Japan, Ireland
Pool D: France, Brazil, Italy, South Africa

Reporters are almost duty-bound to pick a Pool of Death; with women’s rugby that’s not so easy. The most likely upsets are where two teams meet from neighbouring seedings bands. A win by a team from two levels below their opponents would be a real headliner.

We have two ways of approaching this draw; either by the ice-cold facts of world rankings; or by the red-hot records of previous RWCs. That’s where the Black Ferns hold five aces. Last time they beat England by three points in a thriller in Auckland to gain yet another trophy.

Some match-ups

England must hope that those rankings hold the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. They face two nations whom they have beaten in recent seasons, but they last played Samoa in the 2014 RWC in France. Mo Hunt may or may not have a clear memory of it. Early on, she was dropped on her head by an opponent. For the rest of the game England played against 14.

It was cunning of Maggie Alphonsi to draw the Black Ferns in the same pool as Ireland. Revenge is sweet, they say, but the Ferns will need to ensure they have put their house in order before meeting them again. The sight of Sam Monaghan in the studio was a timely reminder that she was missing from the fray in Vancouver. That makes the Irish win all the more notable.

By the same token, Canada will hope to have a fully restored Sophie de Goede in their presence. That will help them face encounters with the two Celtic nations and Fijiana with renewed confidence.

The Manusina of Samoa are the leaders of the Oceanic pack at present. They must hope they can produce an upset against the Wallaroos or the Eagles.

The Outsiders

The one team that needs all the publicity it can get is Brazil. This vast nation is best known for its footballing prowess; its rugby history is less familiar. The game arrived as usual via British traders and settlers; the first clubs were set up in the 1890s.

The women’s game developed much later. In recent years emphasis has been laid on Sevens. They are members of the SVNS Series and the team appeared at their home Rio Olympics in 2016. They finished tenth in Paris this year.

Their first 15s international took place in 2008, when the Netherlands, the nation (with France) to stage the very first women’s international in Amsterdam. (Result: 10-0 to NL)

It’s a pity that Brazil remain the only wide outsiders among the sixteen nations competing; they rank a full 25 places below Fiji in 17th. The aim must be to have at least one other emerging side taking part in the biggest tournament the game offers. But their mere presence at a world tournament will help to spread the word across the nation for whom televised rugby is a great rarity. World Rugby is offering all the aid it can to accelerate the speed of development.

More news to come

The Match Draw will be confirmed on 22 October.

That’s when managements can start mapping out how they thread their way through the tournament, making maximum use of the resources at their disposal.

Staffs present at the recent WXV will enjoy a slight advantage in having learned valuable lessons about squad selections.

Here they are, with rankings added:

Band 1: England (1), Canada (2), New Zealand (3), France (4)
Band 2: Australia (5), Ireland (6), Scotland (7), Italy (8)
Band 3: USA (9), Wales (10), Japan (11), South Africa (12)
Band 4: Spain (13), Samoa (15), Fiji (17), Brazil (42)

This was one on World Rugby’s easier tasks, for which they’ll be very grateful. Thanks be to rankings.

The bands are seeding positions by another name. The idea is to delay matches between the leading trophy contenders for as long as possible. That approach has its merits, but an early clash of titans can get the nerves jangling.

Just as with WXV, the biggest attainment gaps come in the lowest band, and it’s for exactly the same purpose – to give more nations the sense of new opportunities coming within their grasp.

In the last two years we have seen Colombia and Madagascar gain prominence in WXV; now it is Brazil’s turn. That is partly due to World Rugby’s belated decision to extend the competing nations to 16, a number last employed back in 2002.

Brazil is one of those nations firmly in the viewfinder of WR. Like others in their position, they have already found success in Sevens. The aim now is to let it flourish at 15s level. That is far more demanding in time and personnel.

There have been good reasons for not widening RWC’s scope: the more teams, the longer the tournament must last. With only a tiny proportion of female players enjoying whole or part-time support, the length of absence from work or study proved unwise.

A game within the game is to spot teams beating others who were placed in a higher band.

These days that’s perfectly possible.

The Draw

The next crucial stage follows on Thursday 17 October. Then we will discover who will play whom across the four bands.

Engliah eyes glance anxiously at Band 2, where they might alight on Australia, a team on the rise, and the only one of the 18 WXV contenders to gain maximum points.

Kiwi and French fans will be a shade more concerned. They know their favourites haven’t been performing to the standards expected. Ireland have already beaten the Black Ferns, and Les Bleues are so unpredictable that we can’t tell who might pull the rug from under their feet. By the same token, they could easily confound expectations and walk off with a first ever trophy.

How many rugby fans around the world would be delighted to see neither New Zealand nor England dispute yet another final? Ah, I can’t see clearly. The arms raised have blotted out the light.

The reveal marks a significant moment in the build-up to an era-defining tournament for women’s rugby. Across six weekends from 22 August to 27 September, fans will have the chance to watch the world’s 16 best teams and the biggest stars of the game compete at eight locations across the length and breadth of England, culminating in the final at Twickenham Stadium in London.

Gilbert have a long-standing affiliation with Women’s Rugby World Cups, having supplied the match balls to every tournament since 1991, and have carefully crafted the RWC 2025 ball to reflect the unique energy of rugby, combining technical excellence with creativity and innovation.

The design features a striking colour contrast to ensure visibility in all conditions for both players on the pitch and fans in the stands, while also incorporating dynamic shapes and the tournament’s vortex pattern with radiating dots.

Utilising Gilbert’s advanced rubber bonding technology, the ball minimises ink coverage while maximising its grip properties, ensuring optimal performance for players.

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director, Sarah Massey, said: “With just one year to go until an historic final at Twickenham Stadium, we are thrilled to unveil the official Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 ball with our partner Gilbert.

“We look forward to seeing this iconic ball in action next year, with rugby’s biggest stars showcasing their talent and athleticism on the world stage.”

Gilbert Rugby Commercial CEO, Richard Gray, added: “We are delighted to confirm our renewal with World Rugby including the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, which we are incredibly excited for. The new RWC 2025 ball looks fantastic and we’re looking forward to seeing it at the centre of the game and in fans’ hands as we build toward the kick-off in under a year.

“At Gilbert we are committed to continuously improving, elevating and supporting the game we love – at all levels – for both players and fans. Our partnership with World Rugby enables us to deliver for the game we love, across the world, as we support Women’s Rugby World Cup and a number of junior tournaments in 2025.”

To celebrate the announcement, a limited stock of the official replica balls will be available for purchase from 27 September at gilbertrugby.com.

Additionally, from 1 December, 2024, a wider range of replica sizes and supporter balls will be available globally, with official team balls available from March 2025.

Record ticket demand for a Women’s Rugby event, with over 55,000 tickets purchased across the opening and final matches
All available tickets from the presale phase sold for the final matchday at Twickenham Stadium, with fans having a further opportunity to apply for tickets through an open application process in November

Tickets to see England in the opening match of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in Sunderland remain available through the official presale, withfans recommended to purchase their tickets now to avoid disappointment

Wide and inclusive range of prices available, starting at £10 adult tickets and £5 children tickets for the opening match featuring England

Tickets.rugbyworldcup.com is the only official platform to buy RWC 2025 tickets.

Excitement for the Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 continues to build as all tickets available during both the Mastercard priority sale and presale phase for the bronze and final match at Twickenham Stadium were sold within hours of being made available.

With just over 60,000 tickets available during the presale for both the opening and final matches, the huge demand reflects an event that has captured the imagination as the biggest-ever celebration of women’s rugby.

With sights set on achieving a record-breaking attendance for a women’s rugby match at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, 27 September, fans will have a further opportunity to apply for tickets as all matches, including a limited number for the final, will be available through an open application process in November.

Fans can continue to bring their unstoppable energy to attend the sporting event of the year and what promises to be the biggest celebration of women’s rugby (22 August – 27 September), with tickets still available in the current presale for the spectacular start of the tournament featuring hosts Red Roses at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on Friday, 22 August.

Tickets for the opening match are available to purchase, subject to availability, on a first come, first served basis at tickets.rugbyworldcup.com until 10:00 (BST GMT+1) on Tuesday, 8 October, 2024.

Accessibility is at the heart of the ticketing programme and everyone is welcome to join an era-defining moment for the sport, with prices starting from just £10 for adults and £5 for children.

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director, Sarah Massey, said: “It has been fantastic to see the huge demand for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 opening match and finals, further demonstrating the unstoppable momentum of women’s sport and huge excitement for a tournament that will be the biggest ever celebration of women’s rugby.

“We know fans have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to secure their tickets to what will be an unmissable tournament next year and with tickets still available for the opening match in Sunderland featuring the Red Roses, we urge everyone to secure their tickets early and be part of this era-defining moment for the sport.”

Applications for all matches across the whole tournament will open in November, with the full match schedule and kick-off times to be announced after the Draw takes place in October following the final qualifier, WXV.

WXV 2024 will kick-off later this week on Friday, 27 September. It will see 18 teams travel to South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and Vancouver, with the final six Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 qualification places up for grabs.

With thanks to World Rugby via New Reach