2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup: A Transformative Legacy

The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, hosted in England, has left a significant and lasting impact on the sport, both economically and socially. Recent impact reports released by World Rugby highlight the tournament’s success in shifting perceptions, inspiring new audiences, and driving growth at all levels of the game.

Economic and Social Impact

The tournament generated a substantial £294.7 million economic impact for England , demonstrating the high value of hosting such an event for governments and host cities. Beyond the economic benefits, the World Cup actively changed perceptions of women’s rugby, strengthened gender equity, and showcased the sport as inclusive for women and girls.

Record-Breaking Attendance and Viewership

The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup saw record-breaking attendance and viewership figures. The final match at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham drew 81,885 fans , setting a new world record for a women’s rugby match and becoming the second most-attended Rugby World Cup final of all time. 444,465 tickets were sold across the tournament, tripling the turnout of the previous edition in New Zealand . More than 80% of the total economic impact was realized outside of London.

Increased Commercial Appeal and Sponsorship

The tournament significantly elevated the commercial appeal of women’s rugby. Revenue from sponsorship increased by 330%, generating £201 million in media value for partners . Notably, four out of five Principal Partners extended their commitment to women’s rugby following the tournament.

Global Impact and Development

World Rugby’s “Impact Beyond 2025” program is focused on building a stronger global ecosystem for the future of the sport. Initiatives include:

• More than 35,500 teenage girls have taken up rugby through Rugby Rising Play grants in 42 unions, including emerging nations like Laos, Nigeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Cook Islands .
• Over 100 women from 56 countries enrolled in the Careers program.
• More than 50 unions participated in Regional Summits across Africa, Asia, and Europe.
• Over 90 unions benefited from World Rugby’s fundraising training program.
• More than 1,000 women leaders participated in the ChildFund Rugby Grassroots to Global series.

Fan and Player Engagement

The tournament received a Net Promoter Score of +84, surpassing many other major global sporting events . 96% of fans described the event as ‘inspiring,’ and 94% of those who had never attended a women’s rugby match before expressed an intention to watch future matches. Players rated their overall tournament experience as good or excellent at 82% . 75% of women aged 13-25 reported increased motivation to be active after engaging with the tournament.

Increased Reach and Visibility

The event reached new international audiences through enhanced production, free-to-air coverage in key markets, and a digital strategy focused on player stories. Global broadcast viewing hours reached 147 million, a 336% increase compared to the 2021 World Cup , and the tournament generated over one billion social media impressions.

A Defining Moment for the Sport

As stated by World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson, the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup was “a phenomenal celebration of our sport” and a “defining moment” that will shape the game for generations . The tournament acted as a catalyst for unprecedented momentum and delivered tangible benefits to communities worldwide.