A year to go until the start of the Women’s Rugby World Cup

Published: 22 August 2024

A major milestone to the Women’s Rugby World Cup has been celebrated in Exeter exactly a year before the biggest-ever global celebration of women’s rugby kicks off.

Across six weekends from 22 August to 27 September 2025, fans will have the chance to watch the world’s 16 best teams and the biggest stars of the game compete at eight locations across the length and breadth of the country.

Sandy Park in Exeter will host matches in the pool stage and will also host quarter final knockout games.

As celebrations took place across the host cities, an inspirational promotional film This Energy Never Stops has been released as rugby stars urge the fans to bring their unstoppable energy to the sporting event of the year.

As part of the celebrations in Exeter Cllr Duncan Wood, Lead Councillor for Leisure Services and Healthy Living, met coaches and young female rugby players at Exeter Saracens.

Cllr Wood said: “A key priority for the Council is to encourage active and healthy lifestyles and the Women’s Rugby World Cup will do exactly that, especially as key matches will be held right here in the city.

“I know that the excitement is already starting to build, and it was great to meet some of the young players of the future who will be inspired to fulfil their own potential by having such a high profile and prestigious event coming to their city.”

Bindu Arjoon, Chief Executive of Exeter City Council, said: “It’s just a year to go now until this fantastic tournament kicks off and a lot of work is taking place to ensure that it is a major success and leaves a lasting legacy both here in Exeter and elsewhere around the country.

“There’s no doubt that the Women’s Rugby World Cup will have a major impact for Exeter, shining a light on the city to a global audience. It will boost participation in sport, particularly for women and girls, and we very much looking forward to this great event getting underway exactly a year from now.”

The promotional film This Energy Never Stops features stars who are set to shine brightly at England 2025, including Red Roses full-back and Team GB sevens player Ellie Kildunne, France captain Manaé Feleu, South Africa captain Babalwa Latsha and Black Ferns full-back Renee Holmes.

It is released at a time when women’s rugby took centre stage at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, with over 260,000 fans packing out Stade de France for three days of women’s sevens competition, projecting the sport to an unprecedented global audience.

Continuing the unstoppable energy behind women’s sport and specifically women’s rugby in the UK, England 2025 has confirmed the ticket prices for all matches and kick-off times for England’s opening match at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on 22 August, 7.30pm.

The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final will take place at Twickenham Stadium on 27 September, at 4pm, where a new attendance record for women’s rugby is anticipated.

With venues spanning the length and breadth of the country, England 2025 will be the biggest and most accessible celebration of women’s rugby ever.

With demand for tickets set to be high, fans are encouraged to register now via the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 website to enter the presale, which take place from 10am on 24 September until 10am on 8 October 2024.

The 10th edition of the pinnacle tournament will host the world's best 16 teams, with 10 teams having already secured qualification.

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director Sarah Massey said: “The 12-month countdown to Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 has officially begun and we are thrilled to launch This Energy Never Stops which is an invitation to rugby fans old and new to experience unique energy of women’s rugby on the sport’s biggest stage.

“The film released today not only celebrates the incredible talent and determination of these elite athletes, but also recognises the unstoppable rise of women’s sport globally.

“England 2025 will be a spectacular moment for rugby, with powerful personalities, unstoppable athletes and compelling competition and with women’s sport continuing to break new records, there is no better time to join the celebrations.”