BBC Sport Secures Exclusive UK Rights for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

Only one year to go until England gets underway with the opening match of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025—BBC Sport has agreed to an exclusive UK rights deal with World Rugby for live coverage in England. The broadcast of this event will be handled by BBC Sport on its linear channels, with each and every match available to view live on BBC iPlayer, Sport website, and the app. There will also be live audio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra, with coverage on BBC Sounds, DAB radio, and on the BBC Sport website. And this exclusive deal will take coverage to BBC Scotland, BBC Wales, and BBC Northern Ireland.

England, currently rated by World Rugby as the number one team in the world, and already confirmed for the tournament, will be looking to retake their title as World Champions in front of their home supporters. Also currently confirmed for the tournament are a further nine teams, which include: Brazil, Canada, Fiji, France, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, and the USA. Scotland and Wales can confirm their qualification at the WXV later this year, which will also be available on the BBC.

Alex Kay-Jelski, Head of BBC Sport, said: “Next summer is set to be a huge moment for women’s sport and following coverage of WXV and the Women’s 6 Nations Championship on the BBC we’re proud to bring audiences exclusive coverage of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 hosted in England.”. Big sporting moments have the ability to galvanize—bring together—and never more so when international competitions play out on home soil. And we cannot wait.”

World Rugby Chief Executive, Alan Gilpin, showed his elation towards this agreement, stating: “We are very excited to be collaborating with BBC Sport on the Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 and WXV. The BBC is definitely huge in promoting women’s rugby and generally women’s sport, so we definitely look forward to joining forces in making history—the biggest, most available, and record-breaking ever in the celebration of women’s rugby.”

It is now confirmed that the Women’s Rugby World Cup is going to kick off on August 22, 2025, as hosts England open the competition at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light. The tenth edition of the tournament will take place across eight locations nationwide before culminating in the final at Twickenham Stadium in London on September 27th.