Watershed year for the women's game

NEWS: The women’s game will take centre stage in 2025, in what could be a watershed year for the female version of the sport.

There is back-to-back international tournaments offering box office entertainment for fans, all kicking off with the Women’s Six Nations.

The Northern Hemisphere will be the stage for the biggest moments in the women’s game next year, starting with Ireland versus France on the March 22 in round one of the Women’s Six Nations.

Five rounds of fixtures, running from the March 22 through to the April 26, will culminate in Super Saturday and three consecutive clashes: Scotland against Ireland, Italy hosting Wales, and culminating with England against France.

The 2024 Women’s Championship underscored its significance at the heart of the international game with audience growth that included: a 22 percent rise in matchday attendance, and a total global live audience of 16.2 million fans tuned in to watch the 2024 Championship, a nine percent increase on the previous year.

Positive signs of increased fan engagement with the women’s game were highlighted by: a 52 percent increase in participants in the Women’s fantasy rugby game, and 32,000 votes for the Player of the Championship award, which was an impressive 140 percent increase on 2023’s votes.

Following its conclusion, the 2025 Women’s Six Nations hands the baton over to the 10th edition of the women’s World Cup, which kicks off on August 22, and will be hosted in England, with women’s fixtures staged across the country.

“The opportunity to take the women’s game to new heights next year cannot be overstated,” Julie Paterson, Chief of Rugby at Six Nations Rugby, said.

“Having the spotlight on women’s rugby in 2025 can benefit the entire game, its players, and the fans.

“For the Women’s Six Nations to kick off such a significant stage in the trajectory of the women’s game feels both fitting and exciting in equal measure.”