Will this be the biggest Women’s Six Nations so far?

Rising Popularity and Record-Breaking Attendance

The Rugby World Cup’s success last year sparked a surge in UK rugby fans, rising from 7.94 million to 13.21 million, according to BBC Sport research. England’s World Cup final victory over Canada, held at Allianz Stadium, drew 81,885 spectators—a new record for women’s rugby and the second-highest attendance ever for a World Cup final. The match also set a UK television viewership record, peaking at 5.8 million. It outperformed both the Six Nations and the British and Irish Lions’ Australia tour, marking a historic milestone for the sport.

Expectations for a Record-Setting Tournament

With momentum continuing to build, this year’s Women’s Six Nations is anticipated to surpass previous records in crowd numbers. All four home nations have already sold out their national stadiums for fixtures, signaling strong pre-tournament interest. The current Women’s Six Nations attendance record, 58,498, was set during the 2023 Grand Slam decider between England and France. However, England’s opener against Ireland at Allianz Stadium is projected to break that mark, with over 75,000 tickets sold.

Key Matches and Rivalries

Scotland will host England at Murrayfield, aiming to set a new record for a standalone women’s sporting event in the country. Despite their previous home attendance of 7,774, over 25,000 fans are expected for this fixture. Ireland’s match against Scotland at Aviva Stadium will also see a significant rise, as their record home crowd of 7,754 could be eclipsed. Wales, meanwhile, seeks to beat their own previous Six Nations record of 21,186 for a home event.

France’s Bid to Challenge England

France, the reigning champions, will face England in Bordeaux at Stade Atlantique, hoping to capitalize on home advantage. The 42,115-capacity stadium is set for a possible Grand Slam showdown on 17 May. Although England’s squad includes notable absences, their depth and experience remain strong, with stars like Ellie Kildunne and Megan Jones leading the charge. France has enlisted former Canada coach Francois Ratier to end their 16-game losing streak to England.

“There is probably a line of thinking that audiences will just keep growing, but they are actually hard to maintain,” said Alex Teasdale, Rugby Football Union’s director of women’s rugby. “The Red Roses as ambassadors have helped sustain some of that strong buy-in, and the fans have had a brilliant time. It has been really pleasing to see, but anyone involved in women’s sport knows it is not a given. You have to work hard to give fans a brilliant experience so they want to keep coming back.”

England’s Path to Victory

England, having secured full-time professional contracts for 28 players since 2019, aims for an eighth consecutive title and fifth Grand Slam in a row. Their 33-game winning streak in all competitions, dating back to 2018, positions them as favorites, despite challenges from France. The tournament’s fixtures, including England’s matches against Italy, Ireland, Scotland, and France, are set to captivate audiences. Will the excitement on the field match the demand for tickets? The answer may soon be revealed.