Australia’s Wallaroos begin their campaign today in what organisers are calling the biggest Women’s Rugby World Cup ever staged.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 officially kicks off today in England, opening what organisers describe as the most significant tournament in the competition’s history. Over the next five weeks, 16 nations will compete across 32 matches, with the final scheduled for Sunday 28 September at Twickenham.
Tournament organisers have already confirmed sales of more than 375,000 tickets, more than three times the number sold for the previous World Cup. The opening game between England and the USA will take place at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland before what is expected to be a record crowd of over 40,000 people. Kick-off is at 4:20am AEST.
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Attention in the first match will be on Ilona Maher, who starts at outside centre for the USA. Maher has built a large global profile off the field, including more than nine million followers on social media, and is expected to be one of the tournament’s most visible figures.
The Wallaroos take the field later tonight against Samoa at 8:30pm AEST. Head coach Jo Yapp has named a squad that balances experience and youth, including 13 players who have previously featured at a World Cup. Fullback Caitlyn Halse will make her tournament debut and in doing so become the youngest Australian to play at a Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Broadcast coverage in Australia will be anchored by Alicia Lucas, supported by Nat Yoannidis and former Wallaroo Kiri Barker. Reporting from England will be handled by Lauren Jenkins, with commentary from Andrew Swain.
The opening match between England and the USA sets the stage for a five-week showcase of women’s rugby on the world stage.
Beyond the Wallaroos’ first match, today’s schedule also includes Scotland v Wales at 11:35pm AEST, with three additional fixtures on Sunday 24 August and one on Monday 25 August. The Wallaroos will then face the USA on Sunday 31 August and tournament hosts England on Sunday 7 September.
The competition is expected to culminate in a landmark final, with more than 82,000 fans already committed to attending the decider at Twickenham, setting up the largest crowd in the history of women’s rugby.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 begins today, Saturday 23 August, with all matches live and on demand on Stan Sport, and every Wallaroos match and the Final simulcast on the 9Network and 9Now.
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