This World Cup has been amazing. There’s been sold out stadiums, singing and dancing, and brilliant rugby.
"We are witnessing a generational moment.” - Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director Sarah Massey
It certainly feels like a generational moment. 42,723 people were at the opening game to set a record attendance for a Women's Rugby World Cup game.
More than 50,000 came to watch the penultimate round of the Rugby World Cup at Ashton Gate. Another record smashed.
There has been 440,000 tickets sold during this Rugby World Cup. That’s 100,000 more than the original objective.
It’s also three times more than the number of tickets sold for the previous Word Cup
This weekend, over 80,000 people will be in attendance to watch the bronze match and the final.
I was born in 1991. That was the year the first Women’s Rugby World Cup took place. (Although a tournament wasn’t recognised by IRB, now World Rugby, until 1998).
In my lifetime, we’ve gone from women fighting for a World Cup tournament, battling for recognition from the sport’s governing body to selling out a World Cup Final.
"This is a thrilling time for women’s rugby. And we are only just getting started." - Rugby World Cup 2025 Competition Director Yvonne Nolan
This weekend is a chance for celebration (whatever the result and whoever you’re cheering for).
It’s an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come and the experiences we’ve created this tournament.
I want us to celebrate this moment but also push on. We do need to stop and admire the view, whilst remembering that we’re only halfway up the mountain.
This World Cup will have a lasting legacy, but an amazing tournament will have an even better legacy if we use the momentum.
There’s no doubting the future growth of the sport. I want us to grow in a way that remembers where we came from. There’s a history of unapologetic activism. A spirit of being authentically us, being authentically you.
I want us to grow without losing these. If we’re able to do that, the sport will grow in a sustainable way.
Audiences have latched onto stories and seen people that look like them. There’s also been conversations about and the current inequalities in the sport (i.e. lack of female coaches, lack of funding).
The crowd also feels different from men’s international games. I’ve witnessed the difference for myself.
I personally find it more respectful and more joyful. I feel it is vital we grow and encourage that atmosphere whilst we grow the crowds watching games in stadiums and on TVs.
More dance parties on pitches, more characters, more ribbons, more singing, more joy. All whilst fierce rugby takes place.
Did you know there’s a subscription option for Coaching Care Creativity? Nothing is behind a paywall so your subscriptions or coffee clicks can help keep the content going. The subscriptions are £5 a month or £50 for the year. You can also buy me a one-off coffee for just £5.