With the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 (RWC 2025) now complete, it is clear that the tournament has redefined what is possible for women’s rugby on the global stage. Over 440,000 tickets were sold, and stadiums reached an average 92% capacity, making this the most attended Women’s Rugby World Cup in history. These figures tell a powerful story of unprecedented engagement, passionate new audiences, and the unifying spirit of the game.
However, the true success of this World Cup extends far beyond the final whistle. Through Impact Beyond, World Rugby’s global legacy programme, we have worked to ensure that this momentum translates into lasting change. Across the programme, we are already seeing tangible progress, from expanding access to the game for women and girls worldwide, to developing and empowering female leaders, coaches, and match officials, and supporting Unions to build a stronger, more sustainable future for women’s rugby.
This report goes beyond the on-field success of RWC 2025 to showcase the key activations delivered through Impact Beyond, each designed to ensure the tournament leaves a lasting legacy for women’s rugby worldwide. Together, we are shaping a future that extends well beyond England 2025, strengthening communities and expanding opportunity for women and girls within and beyond the game.
the tournament
impressions
on the BBC
and follow their heroes
the Rugby Rising play grants across 42 Unions
and 6 Regions
teams driving visibility through 31m
impressions, 29m views, 418 posts
benefitted from the Impact Beyond Careers
programme
to combat online abuse
upskilled at the World
Rugby Regional Summits
took part in the World
Rugby Global Summit
Blueprint for Growth, the most
comprehensive commercial guide
for women’s rugby published
stay in the game, and follow their heroes
welcomes her and stays with her for the rest of her life.
Rugby Rising Play Coach, Brazil
recruit and retain more teenage girls in rugby.
received grants
participation
programme beyond 2025
elevated the global
profile of women’s
rugby
embedded content creator were provided
to teams, enabling consistent, high-quality
content delivery across the tournament. This
created fan-first, entertainment-led content,
placing authentic storytelling and players at
the heart of the narrative.
for Springbok Women’s
each other. When the videos went live, more players
wanted in. They could see their voices being heard
Showing the potential of women’s rugby content This World Cup had the biggest reach yet, but it’s
only the beginning. As more people take social media
seriously and recognise its power, that’s when we’ll
really see change
the highest
performing
piece of
content
more relevant, visible and part of wider popular culture.
stories
Creators’
stories
of women’s health
encouraging women
to stay in rugby
knowledge on key women’s health topics within rugby -
including webinars on the menstrual cycle, pelvic health,
breast health, and nutrition.
webinars were extremely
or very useful
preventing breast and
menstrual injuries Said they would share
learning with colleagues
and medical staff
information that we’ll continue to draw from,
enabling us to generate even more insights
and value for women’s rugby in the future. Its impact will extend well beyond this project. Dr. Lindsay Starling World Rugby, Science and Medical Manager.
remains a taboo - which is why resources
like these are so important to promote open
conversation Promoting women’s health Thank you for the opportunity to learn and
understand the menstrual cycle and my
performance
Please continue to provide these great topics
on woman’s health - I appreciate you!
thrive in their careers
effectively, build stronger relationships, and navigate challenging
situations with confidence. I am now better equipped to contribute to my
team and influence positive outcomes within my work environment.
