PWR attendances rise by 23% after World Cup
BBC Sport
BBC Sport
Original Source
England's Premiership Women's Rugby league reported a 23.4% surge in average attendances during the 2025-26 season, bolstered by the nation's home World Cup victory in September and sustained growth following American star Ilona Maher's departure from Bristol Bears. Digital metrics also soared dramatically, with social media followers jumping 132% and online views exceeding 111 million.
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.
The numbers have been aided by the boost the sport received by England winning a home World Cup at Twickenham in September 2025 and come despite the departure of United States star Ilona Maher from Bristol Bears.
Maher, who is the most followed rugby union player in the world on social media, generated unprecedented attention for the league during her stint in Bristol during the 2024-25 campaign.
The league also reported a 132% increase in social media following, a 310% growth in its database and more than 111 million views across YouTube, Meta and TikTok - a 174% increase in viewing figures.
Last season was the first during which every PWR match was broadcast live across platforms including TNT Sports, BBC Sport and YouTube.
PWR executive chair Genevieve Shore said the figures were encouraging given the high benchmark set by the 2024-25 season.
"Ilona's impact was extraordinary," Shore said. "It brought a huge amount of attention to our league and to our players, and we should absolutely celebrate that.
"So when you look at the fact that we have continued to grow from there, post-World Cup and after that incredible spike in interest, I think that is particularly encouraging.
"We can see growth across so many different areas of the business, and that gives us confidence that the work we're doing is truly connecting with fans."
The numbers have been aided by the boost the sport received by England winning a home World Cup at Twickenham in September 2025 and come despite the departure of United States star Ilona Maher from Bristol Bears.
Maher, who is the most followed rugby union player in the world on social media, generated unprecedented attention for the league during her stint in Bristol during the 2024-25 campaign.
The league also reported a 132% increase in social media following, a 310% growth in its database and more than 111 million views across YouTube, Meta and TikTok - a 174% increase in viewing figures.
Last season was the first during which every PWR match was broadcast live across platforms including TNT Sports, BBC Sport and YouTube.
PWR executive chair Genevieve Shore said the figures were encouraging given the high benchmark set by the 2024-25 season.
"Ilona's impact was extraordinary," Shore said. "It brought a huge amount of attention to our league and to our players, and we should absolutely celebrate that.
"So when you look at the fact that we have continued to grow from there, post-World Cup and after that incredible spike in interest, I think that is particularly encouraging.
"We can see growth across so many different areas of the business, and that gives us confidence that the work we're doing is truly connecting with fans."
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Source: BBC Sport
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