Those in charge of the Women’s Rugby World Cup anticipate that the upcoming finale at Twickenham next month will shatter previous attendance figures for women’s rugby.
All available tickets for the contest on Saturday, September 27, have been purchased, signifying that nearly 82,000 fans will gather at Allianz Stadium, situated in the southwestern part of London.
The current attendance record for a women’s 15s game stands at 58,498. This was achieved when England secured the 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam by triumphing over France with a score of 38-33 at Twickenham.
During the Paris 2024 Olympics, the opening day of the women’s rugby sevens segment at Stade de France drew a crowd of 66,000 spectators.
Information obtained by the PA news agency suggests that World Rugby, the sport’s governing organization, believes it could have potentially sold out the World Cup final multiple times. The final will be immediately preceded by the bronze medal match.
Out of the 470,000 tickets available for the 32 World Cup matches, over 375,000 have already been claimed prior to the opening match between England and the United States at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on Friday.
Gill Whitehead, who chairs the Rugby World Cup 2025, stated: “We have strong confidence that the final will mark the highest attendance ever recorded at a women’s rugby match, easily exceeding the 66,000 spectators present in Paris 2024.
“Having started my journey in women’s rugby 30 years ago, the idea of young female athletes emerging from the tunnel and playing to a fully packed Allianz Stadium is something I might have never anticipated. It’s undeniably the stuff that girls’ dreams are built on.”
England previously hosted the competition in 2010, during which a little over 13,000 attendees witnessed the home team defeat reigning champions New Zealand with a score of 13-10 in the final at Twickenham Stoop.
Sarah Massey, the managing director of Rugby World Cup 2025, revealed that total ticket sales have already outstripped initial projections and represent three times the number purchased at the 2021 tournament held in New Zealand, which took place a year later than originally planned because of the coronavirus pandemic.
A crowd of 42,579 watched as the Black Ferns clinched the trophy in 2022 by defeating the Reds Roses 34-31 at Eden Park in Auckland.
“We are prepared to establish new records in terms of attendance, viewership, and engagement,” Massey remarked.
“This is poised to be the most significant global celebration of women’s rugby that we have ever witnessed.
“Our message to supporters is simple: don’t miss out. This event promises to be unforgettable. You can anticipate thrilling action, electrifying atmospheres, and the remaining tickets are being snapped up rapidly.”
