Record Attendance Anticipated for Women’s Rugby World Cup Final

The upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham is set to make history with an expected attendance of over 80,000 fans. Tournament organisers confirmed on Tuesday that the event, scheduled for September 27, 2025, will be the most attended women’s rugby match ever. This milestone comes as the tournament prepares to kick off with the opening match featuring hosts and favorites England against the United States at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.

More than 375,000 tickets have been sold across all 32 matches at eight venues, showcasing the growing popularity of women’s rugby. The achievement of selling out Twickenham, the home of English rugby union, highlights the tournament’s ambition to elevate the profile of women’s sports. The previous record for a stand-alone women’s rugby match was set at the 2024 Olympic Sevens final in Paris, which attracted 66,000 spectators.

Gill Whitehead, chair of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, expressed her excitement about the event. “The final we are very confident will be the most attended women’s rugby match in history,” she stated. Reflecting on the last time England hosted the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2010, she noted that the final was held at the Twickenham Stoop, attracting just 13,000 fans.

Whitehead, who has been involved in women’s rugby for three decades, emphasized the significance of this accomplishment. She remarked, “The prospect of girls running out of the tunnel, playing to the three tiers of the Allianz packed to the rafters is something perhaps I never hoped or thought I would see.”

The English national team, known as the Red Roses, has a remarkable track record, having lost only once in their past 58 matches. Their only defeat came against New Zealand in the Covid-delayed 2022 World Cup final. Despite this impressive performance, they have faced challenges in previous World Cup finals, having lost five of the last six to New Zealand. Their last global title in 15-a-side rugby occurred in 2014 when they defeated Canada.

Tournament managing director Sarah Massey is optimistic about the event’s potential impact. “We’re ready to break records in attendances, viewership and engagement. This is going to be the biggest global celebration of women’s rugby that we have ever seen,” she stated. Massey also highlighted that the ticket sales have surpassed initial targets, reflecting the increasing interest in women’s rugby.

The matches will take place in various cities including Brighton, Bristol, Exeter, Northampton, Salford, and York. With the tournament poised to set new benchmarks for attendance and engagement, organisers encourage fans not to miss out on this historic occasion. The enthusiasm surrounding the final signifies a pivotal moment for women’s rugby, as it continues to gain recognition and support on a global scale.