A New Era: The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup’s Impact and Legacy
The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup will be remembered not just for the competition but for the records broken, the audiences moved, and the inspiration ignited. From attendance highs to television viewership and cultural resonance, this tournament marked a turning point for women’s rugby and sport more broadly.
Setting the Stage
This edition of the Women’s Rugby World Cup expanded to 16 teams (previously 12) and was hosted in England. Among the key headlines (Wikipedia; Rugby World Cup; The Guardian):
The tournament sold over 440,000 tickets, surpassing its own targets and eclipsing past World Cups. (Rugby World Cup; Reuters; The Guardian)
Many matches were sold out, including the final at Twickenham, a clear signal of growing public demand. (Sky Sports; Sport Resolutions; Rugby World Cup; The Guardian)
The final match was attended by 81,885 spectators, a record for a women’s rugby union match. ( The Guardian; Rugbypass; The Guardian)
These figures reflect not only growth in the sport’s popularity, but progress in how women’s competitions are received and valued.
Key Moments and Records
1. A Record-Breaking Opener
The very first match broke records: England vs USA at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light drew 42,723 fans, setting a new World Cup match attendance record. (ESPN; Rugby World Cup; Scrum Half Connection; Wikipedia; The Guardian)
This matched or exceeded expectations for a high-profile opener, showing that the public was ready to rally behind women’s rugby. (Just Women's Sports; The Gist; Scrum Half Connection)
2. Ticket Sales Milestones
Over 375,000 tickets had been sold well before the final weekend, tripling the number sold at the 2022 tournament in New Zealand. (Reuters; The Guardian; Sport Resolutions; Rugby World Cup) At one point, tournament officials claimed that 100,000 tickets had exceeded the revenue target. (Rugby World Cup; The Guardian)
3. The Final: England vs Canada
In the final, England beat Canada 33‑13 at Twickenham, sealing their third Women’s Rugby World Cup. (Reuters; The Guardian; Rugby World Cup; Rugby World Cup; Rugby World Cup; Sky News; Rugbypass)
The match was marked by disciplined performance, strong defence and tactical control. (Reuters; Rugby World Cup; Rugby World Cup; The Guardian)
It also continued England’s dominant run: they entered the match having won 62 of their previous 63 matches over six years. (Reuters; The Guardian)
4. Viewership & Media Reach
The final was watched by 5.8 million viewers on BBC One, making it one of the most-viewed rugby matches in the UK in 2025, outpacing even men’s fixtures like the Six Nations. (The Guardian)
Media and sponsors responded: the tournament drew new commercial interest, greater visibility for players, and expanded media coverage across platforms.
Behind the Scenes: Move Sports’ Envolvement
It’s worth noting that Move Sports’ own Director, Bernardo Costa Duarte, served as a Match Commissioner appointed by World Rugby. He was responsible for overseeing matches held in Manchester and Brighton during the tournament. His involvement at this level underscores how the event drew in experienced professionals deeply involved in international sport.
The Broader Significance: Women’s Sport in Rising Tide
Inspiring the Next Generation
Every roar from the crowd, every television screen showing the Red Roses, becomes an invitation for young girls to dream. Visibility matters. Records like 81,885 in attendance or millions watching at home broaden perceptions of what is possible. The success of this World Cup sends a powerful message to girls that rugby, and sport in general, is for them.
Structural Momentum
The 2025 World Cup reflects deeper shifts:
Investment is rising in women’s sport structures, from grassroots to elite levels.
Contracts, sponsorships, and broadcast deals are improving.
Federations now see women’s sport not as an adjunct but as central to their growth strategies.
These shifts help ensure sustainability, not just peak moments.
Cultural Shift
Where once women’s matches were sidelines, now finals sell out major stadiums. Media coverage is mainstream, not niche. The tone is less “breakthrough” and more “new standard.” Many commentators now call this edition the greatest women’s rugby tournament to date. (The Guardian; The Guardian)
Conclusion: A Tribute to the Champions
The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup smashed expectations. It rewrote attendance records, reached millions of homes, and expanded the horizon of women’s sport. It was a moment of trajectory, not just triumph.
In the end, England stood deservedly at the summit, lifting the cup before 81,885 witnesses. They delivered under pressure, inspired countless young women, and confirmed that at the highest level, excellence knows no gender.
To the Red Roses: congratulations on your third World Cup title. You’ve made history, and you’ve made it meaningful.