The Women’s Rugby World Cup (WRWC) 2025 is set to be a monumental event, marking the tenth edition of this prestigious tournament. Scheduled from 22 August to 27 September 2025, this tournament promises to be the most significant yet, expanding to 16 teams and hosted across eight cities in England, including London.
Venues Across England
Aside from London, the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 will be celebrated across seven other cities in England. The Stadium of Light in Sunderland will host the opening match, while Ashton Gate in Bristol, Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium, Sandy Park in Exeter, Salford Community Stadium in Manchester, Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton, and York Community Stadium will also host various matches.
Twickenham Stadium: The Grand Finale and Preparations for WRWC 2025
London will play a crucial role in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, with Twickenham Stadium set to host the final. As the world’s largest dedicated rugby union venue with a capacity of 82,000, Twickenham is an iconic choice, having previously hosted Rugby World Cup finals in 1991, 1999, and 2015.
Hosting the final here is both symbolic and strategic, aiming to attract significant international attention and large crowds, with an atmosphere to boot. In preparation for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, London is focused on ensuring Twickenham Stadium can accommodate the expected influx of visitors efficiently.
Some are anticipating Twickenham to sell out, potentially breaking previous attendance records for women’s rugby. The city’s rich history and state-of-the-art facilities make it the ideal stage for what promises to be a thrilling and memorable conclusion to the tournament.
Community Engagement and Promoting Gender Equality
A key aspect of London’s preparation is the implementation of the Impact ’25 initiative, a legacy project aimed at growing rugby participation, particularly among women and girls. This initiative focuses on improving sports facilities, increasing access to rugby, and promoting sustainability. It is expected to leave a lasting impact on the community by promoting engagement with the sport.
London is also leveraging the WRWC 2025 to promote gender equality in sports. The high visibility of the tournament is expected to inspire young girls and women to participate in rugby, contributing to greater gender equality in sports. Initiatives and ‘transformational’ legacy programmes are being developed to ensure women and girls can more readily engage in and access rugby and other sports, such as aiming to achieve the RFU’s target of having 100,000 females playing rugby by 2027.
Economic and Tourism Boost
The WRWC 2025 is expected to significantly boost London’s economy by attracting tourists from around the world. The event is projected to generate substantial revenue through spending on accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment.
Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC) estimates that the tournament will provide a £64m boost to England’s economy, with London benefiting from a considerable share of this economic impact.
The successful delivery of the WRWC 2025 in London involves collaboration between multiple stakeholders, including the RFU, UK Sport, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. This joint effort aims to create a comprehensive and inclusive fan experience, maximising the tournament’s impact on local communities and ensuring the successful execution of the event.
Looking Forward
The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 promises to be a transformative event for London and the broader rugby community. With Twickenham Stadium set to host the final, the city is preparing to welcome an influx of visitors, boosting the local economy and promoting women’s sports. As London enhances its infrastructure and engages the community through initiatives like Impact ’25, the WRWC 2025 will leave a lasting legacy.
