Sunderland’s Stadium of Light will play host to the opening match of of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, while Twickenham Stadium will look to set a new attendance record at the final, World Rugby and the RFU have announced.
The 10th edition of the tournament will get underway on the evening of Friday, 22nd August and will run over five weeks with the Final at Twickenham on Saturday, 27th of September.
The expansion to 16 teams opens the door to a wider base of countries taking part. Ireland missed out on competing in the last tournament in New Zealand.
Canada, England, France and New Zealand have already qualified for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 after finishing in the top four at RWC 2021, with the remaining positions to be filled via WXV and regional competitions in 2024.
Commercial demand also continues to grow with four official partners – Mastercard, Capgemini, Gallagher and Mitsubishi Electric – already on board for England 2025.
“We’ve been working in collaboration with our cities and venues teams to engage with the local communities and maximise opportunities to give them an unforgettable and inclusive fan experience,” said Managing Director of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, Sarah Massey.
“This is the era of women’s sport and women’s rugby will make its biggest, boldest statement in 2025. With tickets going on sale next year, our message to rugby, sport and major event fans is mark your diaries now for the event of 2025. It will be massive.”
“Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 will be a generational moment for rugby,” added World Rugb y Chair Bill Beaumont.
“The biggest, most accessible and most widely-viewed, its unstoppable momentum will reach, engage and inspire new audiences in ways that rugby events have not done before.”
“The selection of Sunderland for the opening match underscores that mission. We want this to be a sports event that everyone is talking about, that everyone wants to be a part of and one that inspires young people to be a part of.”
The Finals are a joint venture between World Rugby and the English Rugby Football Union, with support from the UK Government.
