Iconic city landmarks will light up tonight (August 22) to mark exactly one year before the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup kicks off.
The world-famous Royal Pavilion will bathe in a golden glow, while the nearby Victoria and Mazda fountains will feature changing lights, all reflecting the tournament colours. The Brighton Centre, Palace Pier and lamps outside Brighton Town Hall will also light up gold as part of the celebrations.
Brighton & Hove is one of eight host cities chosen to host Women’s Rugby World Cup matches next year and welcome teams and fans from across the world.
One of the two games scheduled for Brighton & Hove Community Stadium will feature England’s Red Roses.
Councillor Alan Robins, Cabinet Member for Sport and Recreation, said: “It will be wonderful to see so many of our iconic and historic landmarks glow in Rugby World Cup colours, to celebrate this important milestone.
“In just over a year’s time, we will be welcoming players and fans to the city, many who will take home their own images of our world-famous buildings and landmarks, among mementos of their Rugby World Cup experience.
“Hosting this prestigious tournament in Brighton & Hove not only gives us a unique opportunity to showcase the city across the world, but also provides us with a fantastic platform to raise the profile of women’s rugby in the city and encourage many more girls and women to get involved in sport.”
As ‘one-year-to go’ celebrations take place across the host cities, a promotional film, ‘This Energy Never Stops’ has been released with rugby stars urging fans to bring their unstoppable energy to the sporting event of the year.
The film features stars who are set to shine brightly at England 2025, including Red Roses full-back and Team GB sevens player Ellie Kildunne, France captain Manaé Feleu, South Africa captain Babalwa Latsha and Black Ferns full-back Renee Holmes.
It is released at a time when women’s rugby took centre stage at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, with over 260,000 fans packing out Stade de France for three days of women’s sevens competition, projecting the sport to an unprecedented global audience.
England 2025 has also confirmed the ticket prices for all matches, along with kick-off times for England’s opening match at the Stadium of Light on 22 August, 7.30pm, and the bronze final, 12.30pm and the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final, 4pm, at Twickenham Stadium on 27 September.
Fans are encouraged to register now via the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 website to enter the pre-sale, which take place from 10am on 24 September until 10am on 8 October, 2024.
Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director, Sarah Massey, said: “The 12-month countdown to Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 has officially begun and we are thrilled to launch ‘This Energy Never Stops’ which is an invitation to rugby fans old and new to experience unique energy of women’s rugby on the sport’s biggest stage.
"The film not only celebrates the incredible talent and determination of these elite athletes, but also recognises the unstoppable rise of women’s sport globally.
“England 2025 will be a spectacular moment for rugby, with powerful personalities, unstoppable athletes and compelling competition and with women’s sport continuing to break new records, there is no better time to join the celebrations.”
