Celebrating 500 Days to Go: Impact ’25 and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Legacy Program Launch Event at Franklin Gardens
The countdown to the highly anticipated Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 has officially begun, with just 500 days to go until the tournament kicks off at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on 22 August 2025. The excitement surrounding the event is palpable, as fans eagerly await the opportunity to witness the best female rugby players in the world compete on the grand stage.
The tournament, known as Impact ’25, is set to be a game-changer for women’s rugby in England, with the RFU leading the charge in partnership with the UK Government, Sport England, and UK Sport. The program aims to provide substantial improvements in facilities and greater opportunities for females at all levels of the game, with a focus on four key pillars: Facility Development, Coaches and Match Officials, Playing and Volunteering, and Community and Fan Engagement.
To celebrate the milestone of 500 days to go, an event was held at Franklin Gardens, with Bill Sweeney, CEO of the RFU, expressing gratitude to the government for committing funding to the transformational program. The legacy of Impact ’25 is already making a significant impact, with funding being utilized to upgrade facilities, support coaches and match officials, and increase participation at the grassroots level.
The goal of Impact ’25 is to accelerate the growth of women’s rugby and help the RFU achieve its ambition of 100,000 female players by 2027. With the Red Roses currently ranked as the number one team in the world and participation numbers on the rise, the future of women’s rugby in England looks bright.
As the tournament approaches, the excitement continues to build, with Northampton Saints’ Franklin’s Gardens set to be one of the eight venues hosting the event. The ambition is to sell-out Twickenham Stadium for the final and break the current world record attendance, setting a new standard for women’s rugby.
With the support of the government, sports organizations, and the rugby community, Impact ’25 is poised to leave a lasting legacy for women’s rugby in England, inspiring the next generation of players and fans and creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all.