BBC Sport has secured the rights to the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in the UK during a time of growth for women’s rugby union, and women’s sport in general.
The British public service broadcaster will show all matches on its BBC iPlayer on-demand service and the BBC Sport website and app. Select matches will be shown on its linear channels, most likely BBC One and Two, although this has not been confirmed.
Radio commentary is also included in the deal, with matches covered on BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra, the broadcaster’s two dedicated sports radio channels. The BBC may benefit from heightened interest in the tournament from UK audiences due to England being the host nation.
The competition will kick off on 22 August at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light with a match featuring England and will conclude on 27 September at Twickenham, England’s national rugby union stadium.
“We are delighted to be partnering with BBC Sport for Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 and WXV,” said Alan Gilpin, World Rugby Chief Executive.
“The BBC is a massive champion of women’s rugby and women’s sport more broadly and with their multi-platform, diverse programming approach and regional reach, we look forward to making history together – the biggest, most accessible and record-breaking celebration of women’s rugby ever.”
To further maximise coverage, BBC Sport will also distribute fixtures across the regional BBC Scotland, BBC Wales and BBC Northern Ireland channels.
All four home nations of the UK will compete – England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, with the latter representing both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland on an all-Ireland basis, as is the case in the men’s game.
10 teams will compete overall, with eight host cities and venues chosen. In addition to the Stadium of Light and Twickenham, the Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium, Ashton Gate in Bristol, Sandy Park in Exeter, Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton, Salford Community Stadium in Manchester and York Community Stadium in York will also host games.
Women’s sport is enjoying growing popularity across the UK, with rugby no exception to this. Women’s football is the standout, however, with the Women’s Super League (WSL) seeing rising attendances, whilst also holding a media rights arrangement with BBC Sport.
Alex Kay-Jelski, BBC Director of Sport, said: “Next summer is set to be a huge moment for women’s sport and following coverage of WXV and the Women’s Six Nations on the BBC we’re proud to bring audiences exclusive coverage of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 hosted in England.
“Big sporting moments have a unique ability to unify bringing people together and never more so when international competitions play out on home soil. And we cannot wait.”
