Sandy Park to host Women's Rugby World Cup matches
From one exhilarating Women’s World Cup to another, there are exactly two years to go until women’s rugby takes centre stage as England hosts Rugby World Cup 2025, with matches to be hosted right here at Sandy Park!
World Rugby and the RFU, with support from the UK Government, have confirmed the host cities, venues and tournament dates that will provide the stage for the biggest-ever celebration of women’s rugby.
Kicking off on 22 August and concluding with the Rugby World Cup final, on 27 September, the 10th edition of the showcase event will be the most accessible ever. The countrywide format means an unparalleled opportunity to see, engage with and support the stars of the women’s game.
Following a competitive selection process, the final roster of host cities and venues reflects the tournament’s core mission of growing the sport, taking rugby across the country and engaging with diverse communities. All will provide a family-focused festival of rugby.
For the first time ever, the elite women’s rugby tournament will be hosted across eight venues and cities around the country with 16 teams competing to be crowned world champions.
The biggest-ever celebration of women’s rugby – the 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
- Northampton – Franklin’s Gardens
- Sunderland – Stadium of Light
- York – York Community Stadium
While the full match schedule and ticketing details will be announced next year, the milestone two-year celebration and confirmation of dates and venues provides the ability for fans across England to start to plan their Rugby World Cup 2025 experience.
Exeter City Council Leader, Phil Bialyk, said: “This is fantastic news for Exeter, for rugby fans and for the women’s game.
“We were privileged to be chosen as a host city for the 2015 Men’s Rugby World Cup and now to be chosen again for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup is the icing on top of the cake.”
Bindu Arjoon, Chief Executive of Exeter City Council said: “Once again Exeter has been put on the sporting map and the eyes of the rugby world will be focused firmly on Exeter. I must pay tribute to everyone who has campaigned for our amazing city to host the Rugby World Cup 2025 and all the hard work that has gone in to making this bid successful.”
Cllr Duncan Wood, Lead Councillor for Leisure Services and Physical Activity, said: “This is inspirational for hundreds and thousands of female rugby players across Exeter, Devon and the whole of the country. I have no doubt that this will have a lasting positive effect on rugby in the region.”
Raising the bar, inspiring more people to play and support the game
Rugby World Cup 2021 smashed records across the board with more than 150,000 fans attending across the tournament, 1.8 million viewers on average in England and New Zealand tuned into the final with more than 156 million video views on social media. Powerful personalities were born, and a new generation of accessible and relatable role models championed change.
RWC 2025 aims to continue to raise the bar for women in rugby, inspiring the next generation of young players and supercharging the growth of women’s sport in England and across the globe. The Rugby World Cup Impact Programme, delivered by the RFU in partnership with the UK Government and Sport England, will also create more opportunities for females than ever before across all levels of the game through its volunteer, coaching and internship programmes.
Exeter Chiefs CEO and Chairman, Tony Rowe, CBE, has said “Ten years on from our last Rugby World Cup adventure, the 2025 tournament will be coming to Exeter with the eyes of the rugby community turning to Sandy Park.
The growth of the Women’s game here in the South West has been fantastic, and fans have flocked in their thousands to enjoy the performances of the Exeter Chiefs Women and the Red Roses at Sandy Park.
We look forward to hosting this wonderful celebration of women’s sport, and to watch the inspirational legacy of the tournament play out on junior pitches across the country.”
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.
“We look forward to continuing to collaborate with all our partners as we strive to deliver a world-class and historic event that will leave a lasting legacy, both in England and around the world as we aim to inspire millions of new players and fans and continue to grow the game we love.”
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.”
UK Sports Minster, Stuart Andrew added: "Congratulations to all the selected host cities and venues.
"Staging events like the Women's Rugby World Cup will further cement the UK’s position as a global home of major sporting events. We support the RFU's and World Rugby's ambitious plans to host matches right across England and make the tournament the most well-attended in the history of the sport - setting a benchmark for future World Cups.
"It promises to be a memorable occasion as we showcase the best of women's rugby union to a worldwide audience, and continue to break barriers for women's sport."
Independent Chair of the Rugby World Cup 2025 Board of Directors, Gill Whitehead, said: “Rugby World Cup 2025 represents the beginning of an exciting new future for Rugby World Cups as the first event to be held under a new delivery model with World Rugby and the RFU in partnership, working alongside the UK Government and we look forward to working together closely over the next two years.
“The host cities and venues have been selected with accessibility in mind. No matter where you live in England, you should be within reach of a match. All the cities selected have demonstrated they share the same passion for the tournament and are committed in joining us on our mission to deliver the biggest and best women’s Rugby World Cup yet.”
The women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 is supported by its official partners Mastercard, Capgemini and Gallagher.
RWC 2025 will be the first Rugby World Cup hosted under the new joint-venture model (Local Operating Committee) between World Rugby and the RFU, with funding from the UK Government and support from our host city partners which will aim to optimise efficiency and impact across the tournament.
Following the two years to go milestone, all eyes will turn to England later this year at the conclusion of the men’s Rugby World Cup 2023 as the road to England 2025 is launched alongside our partner venues and cities ahead of what promises to be a record-breaking event for women’s rugby in 2025.
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