The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 kicks off tonight, with RTÉ and TG4 combining to bring Irish viewers live coverage of the tournament across television, radio, and digital platforms.
The collaboration ensures unprecedented reach for the women’s game and significant visibility for sponsors. Sport for Business has a major feature on the activations around the Irish team this morning, and did likewise for global backers of the tournament yesterday.
RTÉ will anchor its coverage with Jacqui Hurley leading live broadcasts across RTÉ One, RTÉ2, RTÉ Player, RTÉ Radio 1, 2FM and RTÉ Sport Online.
The action begins tonight with the Opening Ceremony and England v USA (KO 7.30 pm) live from Sunderland.
Hurley will be joined by Darren Cave, Lindsay Peat and Niamh Briggs, while Clare MacNamara will report from the Irish camp throughout the tournament.
Ireland’s opening fixture against Japan follows on Sunday, 24 August, from Northampton with Bernard Jackman, Briggs and Hannah Tyrell alongside Hurley in the studio.
Vodafone, as lead sponsor of Irish Rugby and broadcast partner of RTÉ, is set to benefit from this broad free-to-air exposure. With every Ireland game accessible to the widest possible audience, the brand can expect a significant uplift in engagement, aligning with the wider momentum of women’s sport.
For advertisers more broadly, the multiplatform approach across RTÉ’s TV, radio and digital channels offers a rare chance to connect with both mass audiences and younger, digitally engaged fans.
TG4 will complement RTÉ’s coverage with additional live World Cup fixtures, strengthening its role as a consistent supporter of women’s sport.
Just this week, Sport for Business highlighted the channel’s commitment to bringing marquee matches free-to-air, ensuring Irish fans can follow the tournament’s biggest stories beyond Ireland’s games.
Research consistently shows that brands associated with women’s sport see higher levels of trust and favourability, and rugby is no exception.
“Having Ireland’s matches and the wider tournament live on RTÉ and TG4 is another opportunity to inspire more fandom and boost the number of those who want to play,” said Rob Hartnett of Sport for Business.
“It’s a commercial and cultural milestone. With Vodafone and other partners on board, this tournament offers unmatched potential to connect with audiences and elevate the women’s game.”
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