The PWR sees attendance spike in opening round

The 'World Cup Bounce' was in full effect in rugby stadiums across the country this past weekend, as Premiership Women's Rugby clubs saw attendances spike in the opening round of the 2025/26 season.

Across the league attendances were up a remarkable 183% when compared to the opening round of the 2024/25 season. 

The league kicked off on Friday with Harlequins facing Loughborough Lightning at The Twickenham Stoop, with just shy of 3,000 fans in attendance. This represented a 239% increase on the same fixture last season - when the two sides met at The Stoop on Saturday 26th October 2024. A significant portion of those in attendance this past Friday were new fans, attending their first women's rugby match.

On Saturday, we saw Ealing Trailfinders host Exeter with a 32% increase in attendance on the equivalent fixture last season and a 53% increase on Trailfinders' average attendance last season. Later that same evening, Sale Sharks hosted Leicester Tigers in front of a sold out Morson Stadium (at Heywood Road) for the very first time.

In our Sunday fixture, Gloucester hosted Saracens in front of a bumper crowd of over 4,200. This represented a 212% increase on the equivalent fixture last season, and those fans in attendance were treated to not just an important victory for their side but also a chance to have their photograph taken with the World Cup trophy.

PWR Executive Chair Genevieve Shore was thrilled by the attendance boost across the country and looked forward to these new fans returning in the weeks and months to come. Shore said: "It is incredibly exciting to see the growth in attendances across the league in the opening round. Every stadium welcomed new fans into the PWR family this weekend, and we can't wait to watch them all become regulars at PWR games this season.

"The quality of our rugby in the PWR is beyond question and we're happy with the increasing recognition that this is the best league in the world. I am so proud when I hear of players from all over the world wanting to play in the PWR. Our job now is to not take our foot off the gas, to continue improving and to make sure we remain the frontrunner in women's club rugby.

"This is a long-term project we are building with our fans and our athletes together. Every single person who came to a game this past weekend, or watched on a screen, is part of the movement. They stand alongside other fans and players alike, as we continue to lay the foundations of the women's game in this country.

"Thank you to all the PWR fans, both old and new, and we can't wait to see you again this weekend wherever you're watching from."