Rugby World Cup 2025 opening game

Football fans will recognise Sunderland’s 49,000-capacity Stadium of Light, which has been home to Sunderland AFC since 1997, and has hosted a number of football internationals, as well as numerous concerts.

In 2025, it will bring women’s rugby to the north east of England.

Zoe Aldcroft, World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year in 2021, said: “Spreading the women’s game to the north east at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light will be fantastic in 2025.

“We’re super excited for more rugby-loving fans to experience international rugby in the north of England and we’re also relishing the chance to meet new fans of the sport.”