50 days to go - Sunderland gets ready to host the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025

With just 50 days to go until Sunderland hosts the opening match of the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, more details have been released of exciting plans for the opening weekend.

England's Red Roses take on the USA at the Stadium of Light on the evening of Friday, 22 August in what promises to be a thrilling opener to the biggest Women's Rugby World Cup tournament in history.

Sunderland City Council is hoping to create a carnival atmosphere in the city in the build up to the big game with more than 150 colourful flags and banners adding to the party atmosphere in the city centre as well as live music, a fan parade to the stadium and fireworks post match, with the celebrations continuing into the Saturday.

The build up to the spectacular opening weekend celebrations get underway at 4pm on Thursday 21 August with the opening of the Fan Village in Keel Square in the heart of the city centre a short walk from the Stadium of Light, featuring a line up of female led musicians through until 10pm that night. 

There will also be additional seating and a bar at nearby Keel Edge along with a rugby themed immersive and interactive light installation. 

On match day itself, the Fan Village is open from 9am, offering food, drink, and rugby-themed activities including pass speed and accuracy challenges, jump height tests, and a reaction wall, making it the perfect hub for fans to gather before and after the big match. 

Visitors to the Fan Village can also look forward to live music throughout the day with tribute performances from Rock DJ, Mac Busted, Re-Take That and Royal Rhapsody, as well as interactive walkabout characters, ahead of a fan parade leading fans to the stadium for the match.

Following the big match, the day will end with a spectacular firework display over the river.

Celebrations continue on Saturday, 23 August, as Sunniside Market relocates to Keel Square for a day-long festival of local talent and creativity. With music, entertainment and family-friendly activities there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Attractions on the day include:

• Circurama's circus workshops and performances
• Victoria Armstrong's interactive bubble act
• Chris Cross, the North East's own magician
• Aria Art & Movement's aerial hoop taster sessions
• A bustling art market and free craft activities
• Outdoor drawing classes with the Atlas Theatre Company 
• Live music from 10am to 3pm, curated by Sunderland Music City

Councillor Michael Mordey, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "It's incredibly exciting to be just 50 days away from the opening match of the Women's Rugby World Cup in Sunderland, especially now that we're starting to see visible signs like the lamp post banners springing up around the city centre.

"This is the biggest ever Women's Rugby World Cup tournament and it's a proud moment for our city to be hosting the opener for such a prestigious event.

"It's also a brilliant opportunity to showcase Sunderland on the international stage and one which is set to provide an estimated £20m economic boost to the region." 

Councillor Beth Jones Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism, added: "The opening weekend of the tournament is going to be really exciting and we're looking forward to creating a real party atmosphere in the city.

"It's an event which has something for everyone, whether you're coming along to the opening match, soaking up the live music and pre-match atmosphere in the Fan Village, watching the fireworks after the match or planning to come and enjoy some of the fantastic family-friendly free entertainment on the Saturday.

"And with tickets selling like hotcakes and prices starting at just £10 for adults and £5 for children, it's also a fantastic opportunity to see world-class rugby here in Sunderland. So I'd urge anyone who hasn't already got a ticket for the opening match to get one while they're still available."

England's Red Rose are favourites to win the tournament after last winning the World Cup in 2014 when South Shields born University of Sunderland graduate Katy Daley McLean captained the team.  

Tickets for the tournament are competitively priced from £10 for adults and £5 for children. This means a family of four can enjoy an evening at the Women's Rugby World Cup Opening Game for £30. To find out more about the Women's Rugby World Cup, how to get tickets and how to get involved in free rugby activities in Sunderland visit:Rugby World Cup 2025 - MySunderland