Salford reflects on proud role as Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 host city

Salford has marked a proud chapter in its sporting history after welcoming thousands of fans, international teams, and world-class players during the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.

Over two weekends in August, 20,000 fans filled Salford Community Stadium to watch four thrilling matches featuring six international teams, including Australia, Samoa, Scotland, Wales, Canada and Fiji.

But the tournament has been about much more than match days. Over the past 18 months, partners across Salford City Council, Salford Community Leisure, local rugby clubs, the RFU, England Rugby and the Rugby World Cup 2025 organisers have worked together to deliver a programme that brought the tournament to life across the city.

Highlights included:

• 500 free tickets distributed to young people, families and organisations across Salford, opening up rugby to new audiences.
• A girls’ rugby festival delivered by Active Communities, part of Salford Community Leisure, introducing dozens of girls to the sport for the first time.
• Team visits from Scotland and Wales to Eccles RFC, including a mental health talk with the State of Mind charity and youth training sessions.
• One of only three national murals unveiled at Salford Quays Watersports Centre, celebrating Red Rose Morwenna Talling alongside young local player Orla.
• Trophy Tour visits to Eccles and Salford Quays, giving residents a chance to see the iconic prize up close.

The city also embraced the celebrations with fan zones at Salford Community Stadium and Manchester Piccadilly Gardens, giving residents and visitors a chance to enjoy live entertainment, activities and the matchday buzz. 

City Mayor Paul Dennett said: "Hosting the Women’s Rugby World Cup has been a huge moment of pride for Salford. We welcomed fans from across the world to our city, delivered a fantastic tournament experience, and inspired a new generation of players, especially young women and girls who tried rugby for the first time this summer. I want to thank everyone who made this possible, from our council teams to volunteers, partners, and local clubs. Salford has once again shown it is a city capable of delivering world-class events."

Councillor Hannah Robinson-Smith, Lead Member for Culture, Heritage, Equalities, Sports and Leisure, added: "This tournament has been about so much more than sport. It has been about community pride, inclusivity, and giving young people the chance to see what’s possible. From murals and fan zones to grassroots rugby festivals, Salford has celebrated women’s sport in all its forms. It’s been an inspiring and historic few weeks for our city."

Salford now looks forward to building on the legacy of the tournament strengthening its reputation as a host for international events, supporting grassroots rugby, and ensuring that women and girls continue to have opportunities to thrive in sport.