In a resounding display of enthusiasm for women's rugby, cities spanning England are primed to commemorate the impending Rugby World Cup 2025, with just two years remaining until the momentous event kicks off. Anticipation mounts as the 10th edition of the world's preeminent women's rugby championship is slated to unfold between August 22 and September 27, 2025.

This forthcoming edition of the pinnacle global tournament ushers in new milestones, with the teams increased from 12 to 16—a testament to the accelerating growth of women's rugby on a global scale. The reverberations of one exhilarating Women's World Cup are set to segue seamlessly into another as England takes center stage in hosting Rugby World Cup 2025.

In tandem with the support of the UK Government, World Rugby and the RFU have officially unveiled the host cities, venues, and tournament dates for this monumental celebration of women's rugby. The curtain will rise on August 22, with the grand finale set to transpire on September 27. The unprecedented nationwide format ensures unparalleled access to witness, engage with, and champion the luminaries of the women's game.

Following an ardent selection process, the lineup of host cities and venues mirrors the tournament's central aim of propelling the sport's growth, propounding rugby across diverse communities in the country. Each location is poised to offer a family-oriented rugby extravaganza.

Marking a groundbreaking departure, this elite women's rugby tournament will unfold across eight venues and cities nationwide, with a roster of 16 teams contending to seize the mantle of world champions.

The Celebration Unveiled: Host Cities and Venues

Brighton and Hove – Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium
Bristol – Ashton Gate
Exeter – Sandy Park
London – Twickenham Stadium
Manchester – Salford Community Stadium *Subject to final confirmation
Northampton – Franklin’s Gardens
Sunderland – Stadium of Light
York – York Community Stadium
While the comprehensive match schedule and ticket particulars will be disclosed in the forthcoming year, this two-year juncture marks an opportune moment for fans across England to commence their preparations for the Rugby World Cup 2025 experience.

Canada, England, France, and New Zealand have already secured their positions in Rugby World Cup 2025 by virtue of their top-four finishes in RWC 2021. The remaining slots will be filled via the new women's international 15s tournament, WXV, and regional competitions in 2024.

Elevating the standards and fortifying the roots of the sport, Rugby World Cup 2021 charted remarkable milestones, welcoming over 150,000 attendees throughout the tournament. The final alone garnered an average viewership of 1.8 million in England and New Zealand, with social media amassing more than 156 million video views. This epochal event not only forged indomitable personas but also forged accessible and relatable role models, championing transformative change.

With Rugby World Cup 2025 in sight, the mission to advance women in rugby rouses fresh vigor, fostering the aspirations of burgeoning players and galvanizing the ascent of women's sports across England and the globe. The Rugby World Cup Impact Programme, a collaborative initiative between the RFU, UK Government, and Sport England, is poised to yield unprecedented opportunities for females across all tiers of the game, spanning volunteering, coaching, and internships.

Set to be the most accessible iteration to date, Rugby World Cup 2025 is set to transcend geographical bounds, bringing the finest players to cities all over England. Among the chosen venues, four are already home to English domestic rugby squads, exemplifying the synergy between elite and grassroots rugby. The illustrious Twickenham Stadium, iconic citadel of England Rugby, also takes a pivotal role as a host venue.

The tournament finds its way to three stadiums with a football pedigree: Brighton and Hove Stadium, Sunderland's Stadium of Light, and York's Community Stadium. This diverse selection of locales echoes the tournament's ethos of accessibility and inclusivity.

World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont encapsulated the sentiment, affirming, "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." As the journey towards Rugby World Cup 2025 ensues, England's role as the epicenter of world-class sporting splendor comes into view, primed to etch an indelible legacy in the annals of sport.


PHOTO: Hagen Hopkins - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Image
[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]