Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Kicks Off with Record Crowds and High-Scoring Matches
August 26, 2025
The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 got off to a thrilling start in England, with record-breaking attendances and engagement, despite a series of lopsided results on the opening weekend.
World Rugby has defended the competitiveness of the tournament, noting that “the arm-wrestles will come” as teams progress. While some matches produced wide margins, the event has set new benchmarks for fan interest, with over 85,000 spectators across the first three days and a single match in Sunderland drawing a record crowd of 42,723.
High-Scoring Fixtures Dominate Opening Weekend
Canada full-back Julia Schell stole the spotlight by scoring six second-half tries in her side’s 50-plus point rout of Fiji. Tournament favourites England, New Zealand, and Canada all scored over 50 points in their opening matches, while France beat Italy 24-0. Scotland’s anticipated clash with Wales ended 38-8 in Scotland’s favour, showcasing the current disparity in team development.
World Rugby emphasized that the gap in results reflects the varying stages of professionalism across the 16 competing teams, many of whom include amateur players. Despite some one-sided scores, closer contests are expected as the tournament moves into pool knockouts.
Growing Popularity of Women’s Rugby
Television audiences have also surged. England’s opening win over the United States attracted a peak 2.4 million viewers on BBC One, while France-Italy drew 3.2 million viewers on TF1 in France. Tickets for the second weekend of matches are nearing sellouts, reflecting the growing popularity and global reach of women’s rugby.
Competition director Yvonne Nolan, a former Ireland international, said: “If you like free-flowing rugby and tries, you’re seeing it. The arm-wrestles will come as teams get tighter in the pools and knockout stages. It’s part of the growth of this game.”
The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 is shaping up to be a transformative event for the sport, combining record crowds, global television audiences, and a showcase of both established and emerging talent.
