Overview

• Organisers say the Sept. 27 final at Twickenham will host more than 80,000 fans, setting a new high for a women’s rugby match.
• More than 375,000 tickets have been sold across all 32 matches at eight venues nationwide, far exceeding the last tournament’s total.
• The World Cup opens Friday in Sunderland, where top-ranked hosts England face Ilona Maher’s United States before an expected crowd of about 40,000.
• World Rugby has expanded the field to 16 teams, with Brazil debuting and Samoa returning, reflecting the sport’s geographic growth.
• Tournament leaders report gains in women’s representation, including 31% of coaches being women, a 40% team‑staff target met, and an all‑women ground crew for the final.