The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup has been hailed as the greatest tournament in the history of the sport, with World Rugby’s chief executive, Alan Gilpin, declaring it “historic, special, and incredible.” England’s victory over Canada, securing their third World Cup title with a 33-13 win, capped off an event that broke records and raised the profile of women’s rugby.
The final, which took place at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium, saw a crowd of 81,885 spectators, with the tournament overall selling an impressive 444,465 tickets. Gilpin expressed immense pride in the event’s success, calling it a generational moment for rugby. He emphasized how the tournament not only raised the standard of play but also “changed perceptions” and showcased the best of rugby at every level.
“The 2025 World Cup has gone stratospheric, broken records, and showcased the very best of our sport,” Gilpin remarked. His comments reflected the overwhelming success of the competition, which not only drew huge crowds but also captivated audiences globally, particularly in the UK, where a record 5.8 million viewers tuned in to the final on BBC One, making it the most-watched rugby match of the year.
One of the standout features of this year’s World Cup was the emphasis on player personality. Gilpin praised the women’s game for embracing individuality and diversity, noting that it created a space where players could truly be themselves. This, he argued, was a key reason behind the event’s success, with greater accessibility and visibility of players leading to more engagement with fans. “Being visible on social media, sharing opinions, and engaging with the media isn’t a distraction; it’s a performance-enabler,” Gilpin said. “When players are happy, they play their best rugby.”
Gilpin also pointed out that the men’s tournament could take a page out of the women’s playbook, particularly in fostering greater personalities and openness in their interactions with fans and media. He believes that by allowing players to be more authentic, the sport will continue to grow and appeal to a wider audience, creating more stars and shaping the future of rugby.
The next major competition in women’s rugby is the Women’s Six Nations, set to kick off in April 2026, with the domestic season in England starting in October 2025. As the sport continues to break new boundaries, Gilpin’s vision for the future looks brighter than ever.
