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Women's Rugby World Cup

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 fixtures announced

By Imogen Ainsworth

22 Oct 2024

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Marlie Packer of England applauds before leading the team out prior to the Women's International Test between England Red Roses and New Zealand Black Ferns at Allianz Stadium on September 14, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Morgan Harlow - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

The fixtures for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 have been announced today following the pool draw last week.

The 2025 RWC, which will be held at eight venues across England, is set to be the biggest of its kind to date and will feature 16 teams, four more than the last edition.

Across the six weekends of RWC 2025 there will be six pool-stage double headers, which organisers hope will contribute to creating a festival atmosphere in host cities and a family day out.

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

Hosts England will kick off proceedings on Friday 22 August 2025 at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light against Pool A opponents USA. The two sides recently met at WXV 1 in Vancouver, eventual tournament champions England winning 61-21 in their opening match.

The USA are one of only three teams to have won the Women’s Rugby World Cup, and made their mark as the first team to win the competition when it began in 1991, beating England in the final in Cardiff to claim their first and only title so far. In the 33 years since that match, the USA are yet to win against the Red Roses.

England on the other hand have won the tournament twice, beating the USA in the final in Scotland in 1994 and Canada in Paris in 2014, and are overwhelming favourites for 2025.

Defending champions New Zealand have won the title six times, beating England in all five finals they have faced each other in. The Black Ferns will begin their title defence campaign and search for a three-peat against Spain on Sunday 24 August 2024 at York Community Stadium.

On the same day, Brazil will play their first-ever Women’s Rugby World Cup match when they face South Africa at Northampton’s Franklin’s Gardens.

World number two side Canada complete the four teams to have featured in a Women’s Rugby World Cup final, but are the only team of the four to have never won. They play their first Pool B match of the 2025 edition against Fiji at York Community Stadium on 23rd August.

Despite currently being ranked France beat Canada 36-0 to finish third in 2022, and will open their account against Italy at Sandy Park on 23 August.

The Red Roses have won the last 50 out of 51 matches they have played, their last loss being at the RWC final in 2022 to New Zealand, and recently became back-to-back WXV 1 champions. After kick-starting the 2025 RWC against the USA, they will go on to face Samoa at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday 30 August before their final pool game against Australia on Saturday 6 September at Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium.

Scotland and Wales will meet in the first Pool B match on 24 August at Salford Community Stadium (Manchester) to write another chapter to their historical rivalry. Earlier in the year, Scotland beat Wales for the first time away from home in the Women’s Six Nations. They were also in the same group at the last RWC in 2022, where Wales saw out the narrow 18-15 thanks to Keira Bevan’s heroics from the tee.

Ireland will start their first appearance at the Women’s RWC since they hosted the competition in 2017 with a match against Japan at Franklin’s Gardens on 24 August before facing Spain on 31 August. Their final pool-stage match will be against New Zealand, who they recently beat at WXV 1 and who they knocked out of the 2014 tournament in what was the Black Ferns’ first RWC defeat in 23 years. The two sides will meet at Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium on 7 September.

View the full match schedule HERE.

In addition to the venues mentioned above, Premiership rugby ground Ashton Gate (Bristol) will also host RWC 2025 matches in the knockout stages, and the final will take place on 27 September at Twickenham Stadium.

After over 55,000 tickets were sold during the pre-sale period for the opening and final matches, the next phase of ticket applications will take place on a first come, first served basis across a two-week period from 11:00 GMT + 1 on 5 November 2024. Fans will be able to apply for tickets before being notified of tickets they have secured in December. Sign up to find out more HERE.

From 11:00 (GMT+1) today until 11:00 (GMT+1) on 24 October, a 48-hour window will be open to Mastercard cardholders to purchase tickets for all matches HERE.

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.

“With thrilling matchups and unforgettable moments guaranteed across the length and breadth of the country, the stage is set for the world’s top teams to showcase the very best of women’s rugby. Whether you’re a rugby fan or a newcomer, join us and be part of this unstoppable energy and historic moment!”