BBC Secures Exclusive UK Broadcast Rights for Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025
With exactly one year to go until the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 kicks off in England, World Rugby has announced a landmark UK broadcast partnership with the BBC. This multi-platform deal will ensure extensive live coverage and digital programming for what promises to be the largest and most significant women’s rugby event to date.
Extensive Coverage Across BBC Platforms
The BBC will deliver comprehensive coverage of the tournament across its linear channels, including live broadcasts of every match on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app. This agreement marks a major step in expanding the reach and impact of women’s rugby, aiming to bring the sport’s top stars to a broader UK audience.
Live audio commentary will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra, with coverage also accessible via BBC Sounds, DAB radio, and the BBC Sport website. Additionally, regional content will be provided across BBC Scotland, BBC Wales, and BBC Northern Ireland, ensuring wide-ranging access to the tournament.
Key Tournament Details
England, the host nation and current world number one, will kick off the tournament on August 22, 2025, at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light. The competition will be held across eight cities, culminating in the final at Twickenham Stadium in London on September 27, 2025. The tournament’s 10th edition promises to be a major celebration of women’s rugby.
WXV Included in Coverage Deal
The BBC will also provide coverage of WXV, the final qualifier for the Women’s Rugby World Cup, available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. This move is part of a broader initiative to enhance the visibility of women’s rugby and build excitement leading up to the World Cup.
Statements from Key Figures
World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the BBC’s commitment to women’s sport. “We are thrilled to collaborate with BBC Sport for the Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 and WXV. The BBC’s extensive programming and regional reach will help us achieve a historic celebration of women’s rugby,” Gilpin said.
Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, echoed the excitement, noting the significance of the upcoming events for women’s sport. “We’re proud to offer exclusive coverage of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and are excited to bring these major sporting moments to audiences across the UK,” Kay-Jelski remarked.
Ticket Information
Tickets for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 will go on sale from September 24, 2024, at 10:00 BST, and will be available until October 8, 2024, at 10:00 BST.
In addition to rugby, BBC Sport’s extensive rights portfolio includes coverage of UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, Women’s Super League, the Olympic Games, The FA Cup, Wimbledon Championships, the Six Nations, the Premier League, and the UEFA Champions League.
The BBC, a long-standing partner of the Rugby World Cup, continues to champion both men’s and women’s rugby with its comprehensive broadcasting approach.
