Behind the Scenes: Salford’s Road to the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

Go behind the scenes as Salford gets ready to host two huge Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 match days, welcoming 20,000 fans, four games, and six international teams to the Salford Community Stadium.

In this blog, Jacquie Russell, Director of Policy, Performance and Communications at Salford City Council, shares what it’s taken to prepare for this global sporting event – from months of planning with partners to community projects that will leave a lasting legacy.

"From securing a giant rugby mural at Salford Quays to welcoming six international teams, Jacquie gives an insider’s view on what it takes to deliver a tournament of this scale.

Two match days, four games, six international teams, 20,000 people visiting the Salford Community Stadium. The Women’s Rugby World Cup is set to be a grandstand event for the city when the tournament kicks-off later this month.

But to get to this stage, for the past 18 months a team of people across Salford City Council and Salford Community Leisure (SCL), working with our local rugby clubs, the national Rugby World Cup team, Rugby Football Union (RFU) and England Rugby have been planning for the two weeks of international women’s rugby union here in Salford. We’re one of eight host cities across England – co-hosting with Manchester, with two games on 23 August and two more on 30 August.

Our team have gone above and beyond to deliver what will be a fantastic sporting spectacle for Salford.

To give you just a flavour of the work required, we have: 

• Provided over 500 free tickets to children, young people and their families across the city – opening up rugby to many for the first time. 

• Delivered T1 (non-impact) rugby to hundreds of young people over the summer, through SCL. 

• Secured one of three giant murals nationally, portraying world rugby superstars and young homegrown players, to celebrate the tournament - have a look down at the Watersports Centre.  

And there’s more. Eccles Rugby is hosting the Wales and Scotland national teams for community events, inspiring children and young people through being able to rub shoulders with some of the world’s most talented players. And we arranged a tour of the trophy that the international teams will be battling it out for, to visit the Quays earlier this year.

There has been much more to this work than the usual day at the office. We have negotiated two separate legal agreements underpinning our hosting responsibilities. Our digital team has delivered the most digitally-enabled stadium in the tournament. And we have coordinated, highways access; accreditation; safety at the stadium and surrounds; advertising; fan zones; commercial rights protection; and so much more. Honestly, this barely scratches the surface of the work that has been required.

It has been a truly awesome #TeamSalford effort. A team I am hugely proud to have been a part of. It’s fair to say attending an international tournament will never be quite the same now we have an insight into what it takes to organise one. Hosting an international tournament of this scale expands our horizons of what we can achieve as a city for the future. It’s been hugely rewarding work and we can’t wait for the tournament to start.

I hope to see you at the games – Team Australia / Team Scotland all the way for me!" 

The countdown is nearly over. With teams, fans, and the world’s attention on Salford, the stage is set for two unforgettable match days. Whether you’re watching from the stands, following the action in the fan zones, or cheering from home, there’s never been a better time to be part of #TeamSalford.

Find out more about match days, fan zones, and things to do while you’re here, head to Visit Salford.