PWR attendances rise by 23% after World Cup
Premiership Women's Rugby says average attendances rose by 23.4% during the 2025-26 season, which concluded in June with Saracens winning a record fourth title.
Premiership Women's Rugby reports a 23.4% increase in average match attendances during the 2025-26 season, which ended in June following Saracens' fourth title win. The surge in audience figures can be attributed to England's hosting of the World Cup in September 2025, held at Twickenham. Despite the departure of star player Ilona Maher, Bristol Bears continued to bolster the league's popularity.
Maher, the most followed rugby union player on social media, drove a 132% rise in social media followers, a 310% increase in its database, and over 111 million views across YouTube, Meta, and TikTok, a 174% growth in viewing figures. This season marked the first when all PWR matches were broadcast live on TNT Sports, BBC Sport, and YouTube.
PWR Executive Chair Genevieve Shore expressed satisfaction with the results, stating the figures were "encouraging given the high benchmark set by the 2024-25 season." She added that the continued growth, even post-World Cup, demonstrated the league's effective connection with fans. The 2026-27 season, comprising nine teams that began in 2023 after the Premier 15s rebranding, is scheduled to commence in November.
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