Rugby World Cup 2025 – England Host Cities Confirmed

England hosts Rugby World Cup 2025, and World Rugby and the RFU have confirmed the host cities, venues and tournament dates two years out from the women’s showpiece tournament which is set to be the tenth edition.

The RWC 2025 will get underway on 22 August with the final being played on 27 September 2025 with host cities being used countrywide. World Rugby says this will offer an “unparalleled opportunity to see, engage with and support the stars of the women’s game.”

The number of national teams for RWC 2025 will also be increased from 12 to 16 as women’s participation accelerates around the globe said the governing body.

World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “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.”

Sue Day, RFU Chief Operating Officer and Chief Finance Officer and former Red Rose, added: “Our home World Cup will further accelerate this growth and our continued partnership with World Rugby and the UK Government will support our aim to make that happen.”

Rugby World Cup 2025 – England Host Cities and Venues

In total, eight venues are currently planned to be used for RWC 2025, and all will aim to provide a family-focused festival of rugby.

Four of the venues are already home to English domestic rugby teams including Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate, Northampton Saints and Loughborough Lightning at Franklin’s Gardens, both Exeter Chiefs’ men’s and women’s teams at Sandy Park, and Sale Sharks at Salford Community Stadium.

Twickenham Stadium will also play host during the tournament and has this year achieved the world record-breaking crowd of 58,498 at the TikTok Women’s Six Nations title decider between England and France in April 2023.

Three stadiums that regularly host football; Brighton and Hove Stadium, Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, and York’s Community Stadium are also confirmed.

Day added; “In taking Rugby World Cup 2025 to venues the length and breadth of England, we want to give fans who may not have watched rugby before, the chance to be inspired by world-class sporting action.  It’s access to tournaments like these that can light a spark in people, and we hope it will encourage a new generation of people to give rugby a try for themselves.”

• 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

Rugby World Cup Impact Programme

The Rugby World Cup Impact Programme, delivered by the RFU in partnership with the UK Government and Sport England, will aim to create more opportunities for females through its volunteer, coaching and internship programmes.

Independent Chair of the Rugby World Cup 2025 Board of Directors, Gill Whitehead, said: “In taking Rugby World Cup 2025 to venues the length and breadth of England, we want to give fans who may not have watched rugby before, the chance to be inspired by world-class sporting action.  It’s access to tournaments like these that can light a spark in people, and we hope it will encourage a new generation of people to give rugby a try for themselves.”

RWC 2025 Qualification

Canada, England, France and New Zealand have already qualified for Rugby World Cup 2025 after finishing in the top four of RWC 2021 in New Zealand.

The remaining 12 positions will be completed via World Rugby’s WXV and regional competitions in 2024.

Image Credit: World Rugby

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 News

• Gallagher Announced As Official Partner of Women’s Rugby, WXV and RWC 2025.
• World Rugby Appoint Independant Board Chairperson for RWC 2025.
• Rugby World Cup 2025 (Women) – England.
• World Rugby updates qualification pathway for Rugby World Cup 2025.