Firework & Fan Zones at the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

The countdown is on, and if you’re anywhere near Sunderland this August, you’d be mad to miss it. The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 kicks off on Friday 22 August, and it’s going big. We’re talking world-class rugby, fireworks lighting up the city skyline, and fan zones bursting with food, music, and feel-good vibes.

And where better to launch it all than the Stadium of Light – home of Sunderland AFC and soon to be ground zero for England’s Red Roses as they take on the USA in the opening match of the tournament at 7.30pm.

Sunderland's Getting the Party Started

This year’s tournament will be the biggest Women’s Rugby World Cup yet, with 16 nations battling it out across eight host cities in England. From Exeter to York, it’s not just Sunderland that’s getting in on the action – the whole country’s rolling out the welcome mat for top-tier women’s rugby.

But the action won’t just be on the pitch. The city is throwing a proper bash, starting the day before. From Thursday 21 to Saturday 23 August, Keel Edge and Keel Square will transform into buzzing fan zones packed with live entertainment, interactive games, and food that’ll have you drooling. Thursday night even throws a spotlight on local music talent with help from Sunderland Music City.

Expect everything from rugby skills challenges to street theatre, art installations, and even a chance to try your hand at tag rugby. Whether you’re six or sixty, there’s something to get stuck into – and plenty of food and drink to keep you going while you do.

And the cherry on top? A full-blown firework display after Friday’s match, launched from Riverside Park and visible right across the city. Whether you’re coming for the rugby or just fancy soaking up the atmosphere, it’s going to be electric.

It’s not just the fans in the stadium who’ll be part of the action. The whole North East is getting involved, with touch rugby beach festivals planned from Bamburgh to Sunderland. Local clubs in Durham, Northumberland and beyond will be hosting pop-up events and rugby sessions to spread the love for the game and get more women and girls involved at grassroots level.

Rugby, Rivalries and Redemption

The Red Roses will be gunning for glory on home turf, desperate to lift the trophy for the first time since 2014. But standing in their way are the usual powerhouses – Canada, and of course, New Zealand’s Black Ferns, who’ve cruelly snatched the title in the last two finals.

This tournament is set to be a bruiser – and not just for the players. Emotions will run high, voices will be lost, and pints may be spilled. That’s how we like it.

Tickets are a steal too, starting at £10 for adults and £5 for kids – so you can bring the whole squad without rinsing your wallet.

Even if you haven’t bagged a match ticket, you won’t be left out. The fan zone’s big screen will be showing games from across the tournament, so you can soak up the atmosphere with your fellow fans, a bite to eat, and a drink in hand – no scrum required.

Celebrating Your Team? Bring the Noise (and the Colour)

Whether you’re cheering on England or backing another side, we’ve got your match-day celebrations covered. At Epic Fireworks, we stock a mighty range of team-colour fireworks, smoke grenades and flares to help you show your support with style.

Red and white for the Roses? Sorted. Black and silver for the Ferns? No problem. Want to turn your garden into a mini stadium? We’ve got barrages that’ll do the job nicely. Plus, our smoke grenades are perfect for pre-match photo ops, team entrances, or just looking cool in your driveway.

You bring the passion, we’ll bring the pyrotechnics.

Don’t Miss It

Sunderland’s going all in for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 – and with fireworks, fan zones, family fun and fierce competition, it’s shaping up to be a belter.

So get it in the diary, grab your colours, and let’s light it up.