Countdown Begins: England Gears Up to Host 2025 Rugby World Cup
In exactly two years, England will host the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, marking a thrilling continuation from the last edition. World Rugby, RFU, and the UK Government have unveiled host cities, venues, and dates, creating the stage for an extraordinary celebration of women’s rugby.
Running from August 22 to September 27, the 10th edition promises unparalleled accessibility, spanning the nation and engaging diverse communities. The goal is to nurture the sport, spotlighting stars and providing an outstanding family-focused rugby festival.
A first-ever highlight will be the tournament hosted across eight venues and cities, featuring 16 teams competing for the world championship. The chosen cities include Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Exeter, London, Manchester, Northampton, Sunderland, and York.
- Brighton and Hove – Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium
- Bristol – Ashton Gate
- Exeter – Sandy Park
- London – Twickenham Stadium
- Manchester – Salford Community Stadium (*Pending final confirmation)
- Northampton – Franklin’s Gardens
- Sunderland – Stadium of Light
- York – York Community Stadium
With match schedules and ticket details forthcoming, the two-year countdown empowers fans to plan their 2025 rugby experience. Canada, England, France, and New Zealand have already qualified, while the remaining spots will be determined through new tournaments and regional competitions.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “Following the record-breaking success of Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand, women’s rugby has built an incredibly strong foundation and as one of the fastest growing sports in the world, RWC 2025 is set to take the game to the next level as the biggest celebration of women’s rugby with fans and players very much at its heart.”
The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 aims to surpass previous achievements, inspiring future players and boosting women’s sports growth through initiatives like the Rugby World Cup Impact Programme. The event will take place across England’s cities, uniting the world’s best players and existing rugby venues.
Sue Day, RFU Chief Operating Officer and Chief Finance Officer and former Red Rose, added: “Through our continued investment in the women’s game, the Red Roses have already inspired a new generation of girls and boys to play rugby. Our home World Cup will further accelerate this growth and our continued partnership with World Rugby and the UK Government will support our aim to make that happen.
“In taking Rugby World Cup 2025 to venues the length and breadth of England, we want to give fans who may not have watched rugby before, the chance to be inspired by world class sporting action. It’s access to tournaments like these that can light a spark in people, and we hope it will encourage a new generation of people to give rugby a try for themselves.”
This event is set to continue the success of the record-breaking 2021 Rugby World Cup, with a focus on creating accessible role models and sparking change.
