Women’s Rugby World Cup: Exeter fixtures at Sandy Park revealed

Published: 22 October 2024

World Rugby has announced the match schedule for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, setting the stage for six weekends of compelling competition in what promises to be the largest celebration of women’s rugby.

A spectacular opening weekend will see hosts England face USA at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on Friday, 22 August 2025, while reigning champions New Zealand will begin their title defence against Spain at York Community Stadium on Sunday, 24 August 2025.

The Pool Stage matches at Sandy Park in Exeter will be:

• Saturday 23 August: France v Italy (kick-off 8.15pm)
• Sunday 31 August: New Zealand v Japan (kick-off 2pm)
• Sunday 31 August: France v Brazil (kick-off 4.45pm)
• Saturday 6 September: Canada v Scotland (kick-off 12 noon)
• Saturday 6 September: Wales v Fiji (kick-off 2.45pm)

Last week the draw was made for the pool stages:

Pool A: England, Australia, USA, Samoa
Pool B: Canada, Scotland, Wales, Fiji
Pool C: New Zealand, Ireland, Japan, Spain
Pool D: France, Italy, South Africa, Brazil

Two quarter final matches will also take part at Sandy Park

• Saturday 13 September: Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D (kick-off 12.30pm)
• Sunday 14 September: Winner Pool D v Runner-up Pool C (kick-off 12.30pm)

The match schedule has been developed with team and fan experience at heart, with exciting matchups in each of the eight host locations, family friendly kick-off times and optimised team travel.

Aligned with World Rugby standards, each team will also benefit from a minimum of six rest days between pool matches enabling the world’s top teams to prepare and perform at their best.

Five double header fixtures will take place during the pool stages, generating a festival atmosphere in the host locations and creating a day-out for families and local communities.

With child prices available at all matches including the opening and knock-out matches and a vast majority of kick-off times in the afternoon, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 promises to be the family event of the year inspiring the next generation of players in England.

The pool stage will culminate in a huge weekend of matches across four venues, with the two best teams on competition points in each pool qualifying for the quarter finals and the knockout phase.

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director, Sarah Massey, said: “The confirmation of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 match schedule brings a wave of excitement as fans in the host nation and around the globe can now mark their calendars for this era-defining tournament.”

Cllr Duncan Wood, Lead Councillor for Leisure Services and Healthy Living, said: “The World Cup is getting ever closer and I’m sure the excitement will build further with the announcement of these fantastic matches at Sandy Park.

“I’m really looking forward to some truly world class games here in Exeter and I know that the tournament will provide a fantastic boost to the city.”

With 95 per cent of the population in England within two hours of a match venue, fans will have an unprecedented opportunity to see rugby’s biggest stars in action, while host cities are getting ready to welcome international travelling fans with iconic and vibrant local experiences.

With excitement building, fans will have the opportunity to apply for tickets for all matches from 11am on Tuesday 5 November until 11am on Tuesday 19 November. Ballots will be used for any price categories which are oversubscribed. Fans can register to be the first to hear about ticket news here.

Prior to the two-week ticket application phase, Worldwide Partner Mastercard is offering its cardholders access to a 48-hour priority sale for all matches from 11am on Tuesday 22 October  until 11am on Thursday 24 October at tickets.rugbyworldcup.com. Only Mastercard payments will be accepted during this priority window.