About the venue
Capacity: 48,707
Profile: Let there be Light. Sunderland’s Stadium of Light will kick things off on Friday 22 August as hosts and world number 1 side England take on USA in match one of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.
The city's usual home of football, Sunderland AFC have played their home games there since the stadium opened in 1997. It has also played host to football internationals as recently as 2023, and to music concerts including Rihanna and Elton John.
Sunderland is as far north as the tournament stretches and represents a glowing opportunity to inspire a new audience of girls seeking to follow in the footsteps of 2021 World Player of the Year, England captain Zoe Aldcroft. “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," said Yorkshire-born Aldcroft.
Matches
Fri, 22 August 19:30 local - England v USA
Did you know?
Known colloquially as the "Wearside Stadium" and "New Roker Park", the Stadium of Light name was revealed at a naming ceremony on 30 July 1997, hours before Sunderland's opening football match against Ajax. Club chairman Bob Murray explained how the name came from the region's coal mining heritage: "For many years, miners at Wearmouth Colliery carried with them a Davy lamp as part of their working lives. Reflecting this tradition, the name allows the image of this light to shine forever."
Coming soon
Information on getting to the venue, media facilities, opening times and accreditation collection.
