Rugby World Cup 2025

Rugby in Sunderland

The Rugby World Cup 2025 will be a true celebration of women's rugby, set to captivate new audiences and inspire countless women and girls to get involved in the sport.

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Community Rugby Clubs

Sunderland might be known for being football mad, but it also has a rich history of rugby. There are three clubs in the city - Sunderland RFC, Houghton RUFC and Washington RFC.  

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Getting started

As Sunderland gears up to host the opening game of the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup, it's the perfect opportunity to get involved in a new sport. We're working with local rugby clubs to offer something for everyone, from girls' rugby to walking rugby and fitness sessions. With new rugby posts popping up across the city, there's never been a better time to give rugby a try. Make the most of this exciting opportunity and get involved...

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When is the Women's Rugby World Cup coming to Sunderland?

England's Red Roses take on the USA at Sunderland's Stadium of Light on Friday 22 August in the opening match of the Women's Rugby World Cup tournament.

Are tickets still available and how much are they?

Yes, tickets are still available, starting from just £10 for adults and £5 for children. The link to buy is at the top of this page.  

What else is happening in the city over the weekend? 

• Thursday 21st August: Soak up the atmosphere in the Fan Village in Keel Square from 4pm to 10pm, hosting a lineup of female-led live music. 

• Friday 22nd August: On match day, the Fan Village in Keel Square in the heart of the city centre, is open from 9am, offering a host of food, drink, interactive walkabout characters and rugby-themed activities and challenges, making it the perfect hub for fans to gather before and after the big match.  While you're there, why not visit Keel Edge just across the road from Keel Square where you'll find an exciting rugby themed immersive and interactive light installation, along with additional seating and a bar. Visitors to the free Fan Village can also look forward to live music throughout the day with live tribute performances. 

• Saturday 23rd August: The Sunnside Market relocates to the Fan Village in Keel Square for a day-long festival of local talent and creativity. With music, entertainment and family-friendly activities there's something for everyone to enjoy. 

There's also much more to see and experience in the city that never stands still. Take a look above at our suggestions of the best places to visit if you're making a day or weekend of it. 

Can I pay at the stadium on the day? 

No, tickets have to be purchased online in advance of match day. 

What time will the community parade set off from the fan village? 

There will be a colourful community fan parade leaving Keel Square at around 4.45pm accompanied by live music and street performers, leading fans on the short walk across to the Stadium of Light for the match. Feel free to follow the parade and join in the excitement. 

What time are the fireworks happening after the match and where is the best place to watch? 

Fireworks will illuminate the sky from either side of the river, with the best viewing point from the Fan Village in Keel Square after the match at approximately 10.15pm.

Will there be food and drinks available on site? 

Food trucks serving food and drinks will be available in Keel Square, as well as Keel Edge (opposite Keel Square on St Mary's Way). Local vendors in the area will also be open, with fans visitors able to take their drinks from these venues into Keel Square.  

Will there be toilets and baby changing facilities available in the fan village? 

Toilets will be available in the Fan Village in Keel Square. Accessible toilets will also be available on site. 

Where can visitors to the event park?  

There is no spectator parking is available at Stadium of Light. The limited number of accessible parking spaces available at the stadium are now sold out. Drivers using these spaces should make sure to closely follow directions shared in their booking confirmation and make sure to display their parking pass in their vehicle windscreen as instructed. 

Sunniside Multi Storey Car Park, William Street, SR1 1UL will be available on a first come first served basis, along with St Mary's Car Park, St Mary's way, SR1 3AH.

Please note that Station Car Park in Holmeside is now full, and all pre bookable spaces for Sunniside have been filled.

Please note as the fan zone will be open on St Mary's Boulevard, access will only be available from West Wear Street or from Wearmouth Bridge.

All other surface car parks will be open and available on a first come basis. For details of city centre car parks: www.sunderland.gov.uk/parking 

How can I use public transport to get to the event? 

By Metro Metro | nexus.org.uk    

Metro Stations: St Peters and Stadium of Light, which are 0.3 miles and 0.4 miles respectively from the stadium  

Line: Green - South Hylton to Newcastle Airport, incudes stops at Newcastle Central Station and Gateshead. Frequency - every 12 minutes,  

If travelling Northbound after the match, you should use Stadium of Light Metro station, if travelling Southbound use St. Peter's Metro station. Nexus metro services from both stations are wheelchair accessible. Please note we expect the Metro to be busy, so please do allow additional time when making journeys.  

Spectators planning to park at Metro stations and make their way to the stadium by Metro are advised not to park near stations to the North of Sunderland as services from and to stations to the North of Sunderland are expected to be very busy both prior to and following the match at Stadium of Light. 

By Bus   

Bus stop nearest to Stadium of Light - Southwick Road-Howard Street, near to The Colliery Tavern. Buses operating from this stop are wheelchair accessible. 

Routes served - Include 35, 36 and 56 serving Jarrow bus station, Newcastle Market Street and Sunderland City Centre. Frequency - Between one and five per hour depending on route. Price: Single fares capped at £2.50.  

Will there be a match day shuttle bus in operation? 

A wheelchair accessible match day shuttle bus, which is free to all ticketholders, is in operation with various pickup points along Wessington Way / Alexandria Avenue. Journey time: 5-10 minutes depending upon stop used. 

Pre-match pick up location: Existing bus stops along Wessington Way. This will drop you off at Kier Hardie Way opposite The Beacon of Light 

Post-match pick up location: Kier Hardie Way outside The Beacon of Light 

Operating hours and frequency: Every 10 minutes, from 90 minutes before kick-off until 1 hour after final whistle. 

Are any road closures in place? 

A number of road closures will be in place during the weekend. These include: 

Thursday 21 August 2025 - Saturday 23 August - From approximately 10am - A183 St Marys Boulevard will be closed in both directions until midday on 23 August. This is to allow the safe operation of the Fan Village in Keel Square. Access to St Marys Car Park will be permitted via diversion. 

Thursday 21 August - From approximately 7pm until midnight on Friday 22 August - Roads around Sheepfolds will be closed with limited access for site traffic. 

Friday 22 August - A1018 Wearmouth Bridge (exact time is to be determined) - northbound lane restriction in place to allow fans to cross the bridge safely on their way to the match.