Women’s rugby World Cup Trophy Tour Kicks Off Excitement in Sunderland
Rugby enthusiasts in Sunderland will have a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy. The coveted silverware is scheduled to make a special appearance in Keel Square on Friday, June 6, from noon to 4 p.m., coinciding with the opening day of the Sunderland Food and Drink Festival.
This visit marks the culmination of a nationwide tour encompassing all eight host cities and towns, building anticipation for the record-breaking tournament. World Rugby unveiled the new trophy earlier this month, aligning with the 100-day countdown to the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Sunderland Set to Host Opening Match
Sunderland is gearing up to host the opening match of the women’s Rugby World Cup on August 22,at the Stadium of Light. The highly anticipated game will feature England’s Red Roses facing off against the USA.
Councillor Michael Mordey, Leader of Sunderland City Council, emphasized the significance of this event: It’s fantastic to have the trophy visiting Sunderland as we count down to hosting the opening match of the Women’s Rugby World Cup on 22 August. Having the opening match here is a brilliant opportunity to showcase our city on the international stage. We’re really looking forward to welcoming the Red Roses and the USA teams to Sunderland, along with home-grown rugby fans and those from across the world.
A Record-Breaking Tournament
The 2025 tournament is already poised to become the largest Women’s Rugby World Cup in history, with over 300,000 tickets sold-more than double the total attendance of the previous tournament held in New Zealand in 2021.
Pro Tip
Planning to attend the World Cup? Book your accommodations and transportation well in advance, as sunderland is expected to be very busy during the tournament.
Visitors to Keel Square will have the chance to view the new Women’s Rugby world Cup trophy and the specially designed RWC 2025 Defender Trophy Tour Vehicle, and capture a memorable photo with the trophy.
Community and Cultural Enrichment
Councillor Beth Jones, Sunderland City Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism, highlighted the broader benefits: With excitement continuing to build now that we’re less than 100 away from the tournament kicking off in Sunderland, this is a brilliant opportunity to have your photo taken with the trophy that the top women’s rugby teams in the world are going to be competing for this summer.It’s also a great chance to find out more about the sport and how you can get involved, so I’d encourage everyone to come down, have your photo taken with the trophy and enjoy a fantastic time at the Food and Drink Festival while you’re here.
Igniting Excitement Nationwide
Sarah Massey, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director, shared her vision for the tournament: Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 promises to be a landmark tournament for the sport and the trophy tour to our host locations provides a brilliant opportunity to ignite excitement across England. We look forward to celebrating with fans and encouraging even more people to be a part of this unforgettable tournament.
Sunderland Food & Drink Festival details
The Sunderland Food & Drink Festival will take place across Keel Square,High Street West,and Market Square from Friday,June 6,to Sunday,June 8.
- Featuring international cuisine, including street food and artisan products.
- Live stage program in Keel Square from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.daily.
For more data on the food and drink festival, visit https://sunderlandfooddrinkfest.co.uk/live-entertainment/.
