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‘We’ve got them hooked’: Canada primed to break attendance record against Red Roses
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Canada vice-captain Alexandra Tessier believes the national team have “hooked” home supporters with their Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 success.
This comes after Rugby Canada have confirmed that ticket sales for their BMO Field clash with England’s Red Roses have surpassed the attendance record for a standalone women’s rugby match in North America.
Taking place on Friday 16 October, Toronto’s BMO Field will see a repeat of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final and start The Rugby Rematch Tour, presented by Canadian Tyre as part of WXV Global Series.
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The teams will also play one other in Exeter on Saturday 19 September and once more on Friday 23 October at TD Place in Ottawa.
The current record attendance for a standalone women’s rugby match in North America is 11,453, which was set on August 1 2025 when Kévin Rouet’s team hosted the USA Women’s Eagles in their final send-off ahead of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.
“I am always excited to play at home, and this shows that women’s rugby in Canada is growing and that our sport is growing,” Alexandra Tessier, Canada vice-captain, said.
“Every Canadian supporter always gives it their all, and the vibe is always incredible when we play at home. It’s going to be an incredible day.
“I thought we captured a lot of supporters during the World Cup last year, and this confirms that we’ve got them hooked and that they are still with us and supporting us. Canadians are buying into this team and buying into our sport. It’s amazing to see.”
At last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, Tessier captained Canada at the tournament and maintained the captaincy at this year’s Pacific Four Series as the team placed second overall. During the tournament Canada fell from second to third in the World Rugby rankings.
Upon the announcement of their WXV Global Series squad, World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year, Sophie de Goede, had retaken the captaincy. Three-time Olympian, Charity Williams, is named as a potential Test debutant.
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