Women’s Rugby World Cup

Publication date: 24 Jul 2025

The Women’s Rugby World Cup is the premier international rugby union tournament for women’s national teams. First held in 1991, it has since become the centerpiece of women’s rugby globally. The quadrennial event is organized by World Rugby, the governing body responsible for the development and administration of all major rugby competitions.

For more information about the championship, visit the official World Rugby website.

2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup

The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup will be held in England. It will take place from August 22nd to September 27th, 2025. Matches will be staged at major venues across the country. Games are planned in London, Bristol, Manchester and other cities. This will be the tenth edition of the tournament.

Sixteen of the world’s top national teams will compete for the trophy. They will play group-stage matches first. Playoff rounds will follow the group stage.

Participants and Favorites

Qualification for the tournament is determined through regional qualifiers and the world ranking. Among the main favorites are:

New Zealand (Black Ferns): Current world champions and holders of the most titles.
England (Red Roses): Double world champions, frequently reaching the final and performing on home soil.
France: One of Europe’s strongest teams, regularly reaching semi-finals.
Canada and Australia: Consistently strong teams capable of surprising opponents.

However, the final list of participating teams will be finalized closer to the tournament start, following all qualification stages.

Tournament History

The first Women’s Rugby World Cup took place in 1991 and swiftly became a key milestone in the evolution of women’s rugby. Since then, the tournament has been held every four years. New Zealand holds the record for most titles, having won the World Cup six times.

Each edition showcases the rapidly growing interest in women’s rugby. Furthermore, it symbolizes the success of global development programs aimed at promoting the sport.

Tournament Winners of the Last Three Editions

Year	Host Country	Winner
2021 (held in 2022 due to COVID)	New Zealand	New Zealand
2017	New Zealand	Ireland
2014	England	France

2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup

The next Women’s Rugby World Cup, scheduled for 2029, has already been confirmed. It will take place in Australia, marking the first time the country hosts the women’s tournament.