Women's World Cup hails huge ticket sales
At a press conference on Tuesday it was announced that 375,000 of the 470,000 available tickets have been sold. That is three times the number at the last tournament in New Zealand in 2022 and more than 10 times the 30,000 for the last World Cup held in England in 2010.
The final 15 years ago was held across the road at the Twickenham Stoop, home of Harlequins, and was watched by 13,253.
This year's final on September 27 will smash the record for a women's international, which is the 58,498 at the same stadium for England v France in the 2023 Six Nations. The match, and the third-place playoff that precedes it on the same day, are the only games of the tournament to be played in London.
"We are very confident the final will be the most attended women's rugby match in history, easily surpassing the 66,000 crowd that we saw in Paris in 2024 (for the Olympic Sevens)," said Gill Whitehead, chair of the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
"I started playing women's rugby 30 years ago, I've absolutely loved it, but the prospect of the girls running out the tunnel and playing to the three tiers of Allianz, packed to the rafters. It's something perhaps I never hoped or thought I would see. It's certainly what girls' dreams are made of.
WRWC Managing Director Sarah Massey said: "We are ready to break records in attendances, viewership and engagement. This is going to be the biggest global celebration of women that we have ever seen.
"Our message to fans is, don't miss out. This is going to be unmissable. You're going to see thrilling action, electric atmospheres, and be quick, because those remaining tickets are really selling up fast."
More than 40,000 will be in Sunderland's Stadium of Light on Friday to watch England start a campaign they hope will end with a third title, having lost in the final to New Zealand so agonisingly three years ago.
England have won 57 of their last 58 games - that Eden Park loss being the blip - and go into the tournament as odds-on favourites. New Zealand, seeking a seventh title, France and Canada look the only teams remotely qualified to challenge them.
World Rugby confirmed on Tuesday that this World Cup's four semi-finalists will qualify automatically for the 2029 edition, joining hosts Australia.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
7 hours ago
- CNA
Donald welcomes happy headache as Ryder Cup crunch time looms
LONDON :European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald is happy to have a good headache as decision-day looms to finalise his team ahead of the clash with the United States in New York next month. One of the six automatic places is still up for grabs ahead of this weekend's British Masters at The Belfry but Ireland's Shane Lowry, who occupies sixth place in the rankings, is not playing, opening the door for Rasmus Hojgaard. Finishing in a two-way tie for 29th, or better, will mean Denmark's Hojgaard will join already-qualified Rory McIlroy, Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose and Tyrrell Hatton in Donald's team. Beyond the automatic places, Donald will have six captain's picks, and he will be keeping a keen eye on several candidates at the Belfry, the PGA Tour Championship, which is also this week, and at next week's European Masters in Switzerland. "Every Ryder Cup, there is always a push by some people who have a good opportunity to claim a place," Donald, whose team beat the United States in Rome two years ago, said. "It is a little bit of a headache for me, but a good headache. The more options we have for those picks the better." Donald announces his six picks on September 1 and faces a tough dilemma with the likes of Spain's Jon Rahm, England's Matt Fitzpatrick, Sweden's Ludvig Aberg and Austria's Sepp Straka, all requiring the nod from the captain. English trio Aaron Rai, Marco Penge and Harry Hall are also on Donald's radar. Penge, who won the Danish Open last week, and Rai will both be in action at the Belfry while Hall will seek to impress from afar at the Tour Championship. While Donald says the team bond that was evident at the Marco Simone Club two years ago was vital, he is not discounting shaking it up with some rookies. "Having some continuity is good but also having fresh blood, having rookies, that could be good, too. It's not cut and dry," Donald said. "But certainly from a continuity standpoint, they understand how I work. I understand them quite well. "Those are all positives for sure." The Ryder Cup takes place at Bethpage Black Course, Farmingdale, starting on September 26 with the United States aiming to reclaim the trophy after a 16 1/2 - 11 1/2 loss in Italy.
CNA
8 hours ago
- CNA
Eze and Guehi to start for Palace in Conference League playoff, says Glasner
LONDON :Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi will both start for Crystal Palace in their UEFA Conference League playoff first leg despite both being heavily linked with moves away from the London club. Forward Eze is wanted by Tottenham Hotspur while fellow England international Guehi has attracted strong interest from Premier League champions Liverpool. Both played in Palace's 0-0 draw at Chelsea in their opening Premier League game and manager Oliver Glasner has no qualms about playing them against Norway's Fredrikstad on Thursday. Eze scored the winner against Manchester City in the FA Cup final to seal Palace's first venture into Europe, albeit in the Conference League rather than the Europa League, and remains a popular figure in the dressing room and with the fans. "The player gives 100 per cent because he is under contract. We don't have to say thank you every day, he is getting a few pounds every week," Glasner told reporters on Wednesday. "Many of you were surprised he and Marc (Guehi) started against Chelsea, you may be surprised they start tomorrow, but they are committed to the team. "They will play a crucial part for as long as they are here they are committed to the team. If they leave, they want to leave as the guys who gave 100 per cent to Crystal Palace." Goalkeeper Dean Henderson also praised the attitude of his two teammates. "Great lads. They are still committed and professional. It showed in the Chelsea game. Both of them were phenomenal in that game," Henderson said. "They will stay committed throughout and be there to help the team. They are part of us at the minute and we will keep enjoying it." Palace's inaugural European campaign has been somewhat overshadowed after UEFA demoted them to the Conference League because of a breach of multi-club ownership rules. An appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport was dismissed last week, meaning the decision to promote Nottingham Forest to the Europa League was upheld. Glasner says Palace deserved to be in the Europa League, but that they will embrace Europe's third-tier club tournament. "It is the first time Euro football will be played at Selhurst (Park), this is our reward for winning the FA Cup and we will enjoy it," he said. "Many fans did not expect us to play European football, so this is our approach."
CNA
10 hours ago
- CNA
Isak standoff with Newcastle benefits no one, says Shearer
LONDON :The impasse between Alexander Isak and his Premier League club Newcastle United is harming both parties, according to the club's former striker Alan Shearer. Sweden international Isak was the subject of a 110 million pounds ($148.34 million) bid from Liverpool earlier this month according to media reports, and took to social media on Tuesday to accuse Newcastle of breaking promises. Newcastle responded by saying there had been no commitment to sell the 25-year-old who is under contract until 2028. Isak, who has netted 62 goals in all competitions since arriving for a club record fee in 2022, is training away from the rest of the squad and missed Newcastle's goalless draw with Aston Villa in their Premier League opener on Saturday. Newcastle host Liverpool on Monday. "I just think even releasing this statement last night has thrown fuel onto the fire, which he didn't need to do," Shearer said in an interview with Betfair. "I get that we needed to hear his side of the story and we've heard that now, and I'm not saying I don't believe him or I don't believe Newcastle. I'm just saying it's very, very messy for him and for the football club. It doesn't benefit anyone." Isak was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the 2024-25 season, but chose not to attend the ceremony due to the ongoing issues surrounding his future. In a social media statement on Tuesday he confirmed that he wanted to leave the club. "When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can't continue," Isak wrote on Instagram stories. "Change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself. "I've kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. This silence has allowed people to perpetuate their own version of events, even though they know it doesn't reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors. "The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. Acting as if these issues have only just emerged is misleading." Newcastle were quick to respond. "We are clear in response that Alex remains under contract ...," the club said. "We want to keep our best players, but we also understand players have their own wishes and we listen to their views. "As explained to Alex and his representatives, we must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of a sale this summer have not transpired. We do not foresee those conditions being met." Shearer said while there was still the potential for Isak to play again for Newcastle, he had gone about things the wrong way and should question his agent's role. "Everything sort of boils down to: I think he's being given bad advice and the way he's going about it is wrong," Shearer said. "It's not a good look on a player or an agent to not go out and train and not go out and play when you have a contract behind you." ($1 = 0.7416 pounds)
