Exactly one year before the opening match in England kicks off, BBC Sport announces an exclusive UK rights deal with World Rugby for live coverage of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.

BBC Sport will broadcast coverage of the tournament across linear channels, with each match also available live on BBC iPlayer and the Sport website and app.

Live audio commentary will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra. Fans can listen to 5 Live coverage on BBC Sounds, DAB radio and the BBC Sport website. The exclusive coverage deal means there will also be content on BBC Scotland, BBC Wales and BBC Northern Ireland.

England are currently the number one national rugby team and have already qualified. The Red Roses hope to secure the World Cup title in front of their home crowd.

Nine other teams (Brazil, Canada, Fiji, France, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and USA) have already qualified. Scotland and Wales can confirm their places in WXV later this year when the remaining qualifiers are also determined.

BBC and World Rugby can also confirm that WXV will be available on the BBC.

Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, said: “Next summer will be a big moment for women’s sport and following coverage on WXV and the Women’s 6 Nations Championship on the BBC, we are proud to bring audiences exclusive coverage of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England. Great sporting moments have a unique ability to unite and bring people together and this is even more true when international competitions are taking place on home soil. And we can’t wait.”

Alan Gilpin, CEO of World Rugby, added: “We are delighted to be partnering with BBC Sport for the Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 and WXV. The BBC is a huge advocate for women’s rugby and women’s sport in general and with its cross-platform, diverse programming approach and regional reach, we look forward to making history together – the biggest, most accessible and record-breaking celebration of women’s rugby ever.”

The Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 begins on August 22nd. Host nation England will open the competition at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland. The 10th edition of the tournament will be played at eight venues across the country, with the final taking place on September 27th, 2025 at the legendary Twickenham Stadium in London.

BBC Sport’s rights portfolio also includes UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, Women’s Super League, Olympic Games, FA Cup, Wimbledon Championships, Six Nations, Premier League and UEFA Champions League. The BBC is a long-standing audio partner of the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups.

HM4/ZB