One year until Women's Rugby World Cup celebrated in Exeter

Sandy Park will host matches

A milestone to the Women’s Rugby World Cup has been celebrated in Exeter exactly a year before the biggest-ever global celebration of women’s rugby kicks off.

Across six weekends from 22 August to 27 September 2025, fans will have the chance to watch the world’s 16 best teams and the biggest stars of the game compete at eight locations across the length and breadth of the country.

Sandy Park in Exeter will host matches in the pool stage and will also host quarter final knockout games.

As celebrations took place across the host cities,in Exeter Cllr Duncan Wood, Lead Councillor for Leisure Services and Healthy Living, met coaches and young female rugby players at Exeter Saracens.

Cllr Wood said: “A key priority for the Council is to encourage active and healthy lifestyles and the Women’s Rugby World Cup will do exactly that, especially as key matches will be held right here in the city.

“I know that the excitement is already starting to build, and it was great to meet some of the young players of the future who will be inspired to fulfil their own potential by having such a high profile and prestigious event coming to their city.”
Bindu Arjoon, Chief Executive of Exeter City Council, said: “It’s just a year to go now until this fantastic tournament kicks off and a lot of work is taking place to ensure that it is a major success and leaves a lasting legacy both here in Exeter and elsewhere around the country.

“There’s no doubt that the Women’s Rugby World Cup will have a major impact for Exeter, shining a light on the city to a global audience. It will boost participation in sport, particularly for women and girls, and we very much looking forward to this great event getting underway exactly a year from now.”

Watch our Youtube video on the milestone here: