Cities and venues for Rugby World Cup 2025 announced

World Rugby and the Rugby Football Union have unveiled the venues for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup to be played in England.

The tournament which has been scheduled to be played between 22nd August and 27th September in 2025 will have teams increased from 12 to 16. It will also be the first time that many sites stage matches at a Women's Rugby World Cup.

Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium in Brighton and Hove, Ashton Gate in Bristol, Sandy Park in Exeter, Twickenham Stadium in London, Sale's Salford Community Stadium, Northampton's Frankin's Gardens, Stadium of Light in Sunderland and York Community Stadium in York will be hosting the 10th editionl of the tournament.

The final of the tournament will be played at Twickenham Stadium with the officials expecting a crowd of 80,000 which would be a record for a women’s game with the current record standing at 58,498 when England Women defeated France in the Women's Six Nations.

New Zealand, England, Canada and France have already qualified for the 2025 showpiece event after finishing in the top four during the 2021 edition.

“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," said World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont.

Meanwhile, Independent Chair of the Rugby World Cup 2025 Board of Directors Gill White is excited about the prospect of the tournament expanding adding more value to the women's game.

“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.”

Venues for the 2025 Rugby World Cup:

Brighton and Hove – Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium

Bristol – Ashton Gate

Exeter – Sandy Park

London – Twickenham Stadium

Manchester – Salford Community Stadium (*subject to final confirmation)

Northampton – Franklin’s Gardens

Sunderland – Stadium of Light

York – York Community Stadium