Women Rugby World Cup 2025: Bigger, bolder, breaking records

The 2025 Women’s Ruby World Cup is set to begin in England on August 22, and it promises to be a turning point for the sport. 

With record tickets sales, bigger venues, and growing global attention, the tournament is expected to push women’s rugby to new heights.

More than 40,000 tickets have already been sold for England’s opening match against the United States in Sunderland. 

The final, scheduled for 27 September at Twickenham, has sold out filling the 82,000-seat stadium. 

Just a few years ago, women’s rugby matches in England struggled to attract 5,000 fans.

The tournament has also improved conditions for players. All 16 teams will have their own training bases, instead of sharing facilities. 

Long distance squads arriving in England have received business class upgrades, while mental health support is also being provided to help players handle the pressure of the spotlight.

Women’s rugby pulls in a younger and more family-oriented fan base than the men’s version. 

Players are also relating to fans, in creative ways. From social media sensations such as Ilona Maher to small things like giving homemade presents to rivals, the women’s version has evolved in its own culture of playfulness and warmth.

World Rugby officials describe this humility and personality as part of what is so special about the women’s game, and why its popularity is increasing so rapidly.

The tournament also belongs to a broader trend in women’s sport. Organizers say England 2025 will not just build rugby’s profile but also lay the groundwork for future World Cups in Australia (2029) and United States (U.S.) in 2033.

However, there are still challenges, some teams are financially struggling, and there are significantly more men coaching than women. But the tide is evident, women’s rugby progressing faster than ever before.

From Doncaster’s small crowds a few years back to a sold-out Twickenham in 2025, the growth of the women’s game has been phenomenal. 

Today’s players also bear the names of pioneers, a testament to the many who worked so hard and endured so much to create the game.