10 aprilie 2026 — Women’s rugby is attracting more attention than ever before. After a hugely successful Rugby World Cup last year, support in the UK surged from 7.94 million pre-existing fans of women’s rugby to 353 million, according to research commissioned by BBC Sport. England’s win against Canada in the September final drew 81,885 spectators at Allianz Stadium, a record for a women’s rugby match and the second-highest attendance for any men’s or women’s World Cup final. It was also the most-viewed women’s rugby match on UK TV, peaking at 5.8 million viewers. It even surpassed the Six Nations and the British and Irish Lions’ victorious tour of Australia to claim last year’s title of most-viewed rugby match. Rugby union ranked as the second most-watched women’s sport in 2025, and with momentum reaching unprecedented levels, this year’s Women’s Six Nations is poised to shatter attendance records.
Pre-tournament ticket demand has already set new benchmarks, with all four home nations hosting matches at their national stadiums. The current record crowd for a Women’s Six Nations match stands at 58,498, from the 2023 Grand Slam showdown between England and France. That mark is expected to be eclipsed, with over 75,000 tickets sold for England’s season opener against Ireland at Allianz Stadium on Saturday. There’s a common belief that audiences will simply continue expanding, but maintaining them is actually challenging, RFU director of women’s rugby Alex Teasdale told BBC Sport. The Red Roses’ role as ambassadors has helped foster that sustained support, and fans have had a fantastic experience. It has been incredibly rewarding to witness, but those in women’s sport know it’s never guaranteed. You must strive to deliver an outstanding experience to ensure fans return.
Scotland will host their first Women’s Six Nations match with fans at Murrayfield against England next weekend. The Scotland women’s record home attendance of 35,774 was set at Hive Stadium in 2024, but more than 25,000 tickets have already been sold for this game. The anticipated record crowd will mark the largest for a standalone women’s sporting event in Scotland. Ireland’s clash with Scotland on the final weekend will be their first at the 51,711-capacity Aviva Stadium, where their previous home record of 7,754 is expected to be shattered, with more than 16,233 tickets sold so far. Wales, facing Scotland at Principality Stadium on the opening weekend, aim to surpass last year’s record of 21,186 for a Wales women’s team home event. Meanwhile, France will welcome England to the 42,243-capacity Stade Atlantique in Bordeaux for the final round, hoping for a full house in a potential Grand Slam showdown. But will the on-pitch action live up to the ticket demand?
