The four pools for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in England have been confirmed, setting the stage for the thrilling match-ups in what promises to be the largest global celebration of women’s rugby, scheduled from 22 August to 27 September 2025.
The draw took place live on The One Show, one of the BBC’s most watched programmes, in the heart of broadcasting house in London. BBC Sport’s Gabby Logan, England’s 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi and presenter Roman Kemp drew the teams into the four pools, independently overseen by PWC.
- Draw reveals pathway to the final for 16 of the top women’s rugby teams from around the world.
- Hosts England will face Australia, USA and Samoa in Pool A.
- The match schedule will be revealed on Tuesday 22 October 2024.
With the fixtures being revealed on Tuesday 22 October via the tournament website, the countdown is well and truly on for fans planning their Rugby World Cup experience, with ticket demand already proving to be high.
Prior to the draw, the 16 qualified teams were placed into four bands based on the World Rugby Women’s Rankings with the top four teams in band 1 (England, Canada, New Zealand and France) prepopulated into the first position of each pool.
Hosts and current number one team in the World Rugby Women’s rankings, England, have been drawn against Australia, USA, and Samoa in Pool A.
Pool B sees world’s number two Canada set to face Scotland, Wales and Fiji.
Reigning champions New Zealand are joined by Ireland, Japan, and Spain in Pool C.
Rugby World Cup 2021 bronze medalists France are drawn in Pool D alongside Italy, South Africa and Brazil.
Teams will play each of their pool opponents over three weekends with the best two best teams on competition points in each pool qualifying for the quarter-finals and the knock-out phase.
With 95 per cent of people in England within two hours of one of the eight iconic match venues and 60 per cent of tickets under £25, England 2025 will be the most accessible Women’s Rugby World Cup ever, uniting fans for what is set to be an generational moment for the sport.
Tickets have sold in record time and volume during the first sale phase with over 60,000 tickets acquired by fans for England’s opening match at Sunderland and the Final matches at Twickenham. England will play their remaining two pool matches in Northampton and Brighton & Hove and fans will have the opportunity to apply for tickets for all matches from 11:00 (GMT +1) on Tuesday 5 November until 11:00 (GMT+1) on Tuesday 19 November. Ballots will be used for any price categories which are oversubscribed. Fans can register to be the first to hear about ticket news here.
Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director, Sarah Massey, said: “With anticipation building amongst fans and teams for next year’s showpiece event, today marks an important step forward to what will be an unmissable tournament.
“Next week will see the tournament celebrate another exciting milestone, as we unveil the match schedule, allowing fans, host locations and teams to start preparing their Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 experience in earnest.”
