World Cup fever heads to Sunderland

With just a week to go, World Cup fever is building across Sunderland as the city gets ready to welcome the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.

England's Red Roses take on the USA in the thrilling opening match of the biggest ever Women's Rugby World Cup tournament at the Stadium of Light on Friday 22 August.

From colourful bunting taking pride of place in Keel Square, to Rugby World Cup banners on lamp posts and bright red roses popping up on the windows of businesses across the city centre, Sunderland is getting into party mode as it prepares to welcome thousands of fans from home and abroad.

Across the city in Southwick, final touches are also being made to plans for the spectacular community carnival parade which will lead fans from the Keel Square Fan Village across the new Keel Crossing to the Stadium of Light on Friday afternoon ahead of the match.

More than 500 people, from babes in arms to people in their 80's along with sports and dance groups have already signed up to take part in the high energy community parade. Expect a massive spectacle of colour and sound with a real carnival feel, with flags, amazing brightly coloured costumes with big feathered wings, elaborate headdresses, seahorses, not forgetting lots of sparkles and sound.

Accompanied by the Spark Drummers and four sound systems, the parade - lasting around 30-45 minutes - sets off from the back of City Hall at 5pm before making its way up St Mary's Boulevard to Keel Square where each of the dance groups will do a brief performance before heading across the new Keel Crossing followed by thousands of rugby fans heading for the big match.

The parade is being organised by Southwick based creative arts company, Creative Seed, who work with communities across the city and the wider region on everything from carnivals and parades to music and arts events.

Sandy Harris from The Creative Seed CIC, said: "We're incredibly excited to bring one of our vibrant and colourful carnival parades to the Women's Rugby World Cup Opening celebrations on the 22nd. As a local organisation, we're so proud to be able to celebrate this wonderful event coming to Sunderland with some dancing, music and fun, and can't wait to see you all there!"

Elsewhere in the city, community groups have also been avidly finishing colourful knitted and crocheted red and white roses and bunting set to adorn railings along the city's riverside sculpture trail for the match weekend as part of the national Red Roses Yarn Art project.

Back on the Map volunteer Patsy Wilson is just one of those taking part. Patsy, who co-ordinates Hendon community organisation's Arts and Craft Group, said: "I've never done anything like this before.  I just love knitting and I'm a great one for having a go. My 10-year-old granddaughter plays rugby at school and I think it's great that girls are getting to take part in the sport more and that the Red Roses are getting the same TV time as the men."

Other community groups taking part include Sunderland Mind, Pallion Action Group, Sunderland People First and Crafting Connections at Lambton Hub as well as a number of individual knitters.

Councillor Beth Jones Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council, said: "It's wonderful to see so many people across our communities and businesses getting involved in the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.

"There's such a buzz in the city the nearer we get to hosting the opening match and we've got a fantastic programme of events lined up for next week with something for everyone, so even if you're not a rugby fan it's worth heading down to the Keel Square Fan Village to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy some of the fabulous free entertainment on offer.

"I'm especially looking forward to the community fan parade on Friday afternoon, which promises to be a real spectacle of colour and sound, with more than 500 people, including dancers, sports groups and members of the community dressed up in fantastic costumes. It's worth coming along for that and fireworks after the match alone."

Events happening in the city in the week running up to the game

Wednesday 20 August - Seaburn Beach Festival 

The build up to the spectacular opening weekend celebrations gets underway with a beach festival on Seaburn Beach from 2 pm on Wednesday 20 August. Newcastle Rugby Foundation will be taking over the sandy stretch opposite the busy promenade at Seaburn from 2pm, and there are two key slots that the public can join for free:  

• 4 - 5.30 pm - Open Girls Rugby Session  - Girls aged 11-18 are invited to come along and try rugby in a relaxed, fun beach setting. No experience needed - just REGISTER HERE: http://bit.ly/3H2hf26 enjoy the game, with coaching from special guest coaches
• 5.30 - 8 pm - Beach Touch Rugby Festival - As the sun sets over Seaburn, take part in a mixed ability, age, and gender touch rugby festival. Whether you're a seasoned player or trying it for the first time, this session is all about fun, community, and getting active together. REGISTER A TEAM https://www.newcastlerugbyfoundation.co.uk/wrwc-countdown/

There will also be free giveways, live entertainment, face painters, balloon modellers, special guests and fun for all ages as well as the opportunity to grab food and drinks at the after party/social taking place in a private area within STACK Seaburn, overlooking the beach.  

Seaburn Beach Festival is the final event in a series of beach festivals held across the North East in the lead-up to the tournament. It has been organised by Newcastle Rugby Foundation in partnership with the North East Combined Authority. 

Thursday 21 August - Keel Square Rugby World Cup Fan Village

Get in the party mood for the Rugby World Cup by visiting the free Fan Village in Keel Square in the heart of the city centre when it opens at 4pm on Thursday, featuring an all female line up of musicians, through until 10pm that night. The evening will begin with a panel discussion on women in sport and music at 4pm followed by a stage programme curated by Music City, featuring:

• Cortney Dixon - 5.30pm - 6pm
• Shannon Pearl - 6.20pm - 7pm
• Lottie Willis 7.20pm - 8pm
• Kay Greyson 8.20pm - 9pm
• Du Blonde 9.20pm - 10.00pm

Friday 22 August -  Keel Square Rugby World Cup Fan Village

On match day, the Fan Village in Keel Square in the heart of the city centre, is open from 9am, offering a host of food, drink, interactive walkabout characters and rugby-themed activities including pass speed and accuracy challenges, jump height tests, and a reaction wall, making it the perfect hub for fans to gather before and after the big match. 

While you're there, why not visit Keel Edge just across the road from Keel Square where you'll find an exciting rugby themed immersive and interactive light installation, along with additional seating and a bar.

The new Keel Crossing will also be open to the public from 10.30am

Visitors to the free Fan Village can also look forward to live music throughout the day with tribute performances from:

• Rock Choir - 11am - 11.40am
• Rock DJ - 12noon - 12.45pm 
• Mac Busted 1pm - 1.45 pm
• BBC Introducing - 2pm - 2.45pm
• Re-Take That - 3pm - 3.45pm
• Royal Rhapsody - 4pm - 4.45pm

At 5pm ahead of the game, there'll also be a colourful community fan parade, accompanied by live music and street performers, leading fans on the short walk across to the Stadium of Light for the match. 

Following the big match, the day will end with a spectacular firework display over the river at approximately 10.15 pm. While it will be possible to see the fireworks from both sides of the river, the best place to see them is from the Fan Village in Keel Square.

Saturday 23 August -  Keel Square Rugby World Cup Fan Village

Celebrations continue on Saturday, 23 August, as Sunderland BID relocates the popular Sunniside Food Market to Keel Square for a day-long festival of local talent and creativity. With music, entertainment and family-friendly activities, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Attractions on the day include:

• Sunniside Food Market - 10am - 3pm
• DJ Jamal - 11am to 3pm
• Chris Cross Magic - 11.30am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm 
• Hannah Graham Portraits 10 am - 3pm
• Bubble Entertainment - 11am - 3pm
• Circurama Circus Skills 11am - 4pm
• Sketching with Atlas Theatre Company - 11am -3pm
• Aria Movement's aerial hoop taster sessions - 11am -3pm

To buy tickets for the Rugby World Cup and stay up to date with all the latest news about the opening match in Sunderland, visit: Rugby World Cup 2025 - MySunderland