Record viewing figures for Women’s Rugby World Cup

A maximum audience of 2.4 million viewers tuned into BBC One and iPlayer after England defeated the United States in the women’s rugby world cup opener on Friday.

Overall, there were 2.1 million matches for the tournament on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app over the weekend.

Over the weekend, 4.6 million people tuned in to watch the live broadcast.

With a peak audience of 1.2 million watching BBC One, the Scots won 38-8 on Saturday to take on Scotland and Wales.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s 42-14 victory over Japan attracted a maximum audience of 534, 000 viewers on BBC Two.

The 2021 World Cup, which was played in 2022, attracted 3.7 million viewers overall, including 1.8 million for the final, which was beyond the total of the opening weekend viewing figure.

The Red Roses defeated the American Eagles 69-7 in Sunderland, breaking the previous record for attendance for the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

BBC Sport is proud to have been at the center of the historic summer of women’s sport, according to BBC Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski.

The Rugby World Cup’s opening weekend attendance figures “show the growing passion and interest of fans across the UK.”

We’re bringing audiences every match, every moment, and the stories behind these inspiring female athletes because all four of our home countries compete on the international stage. There is still much more to come as the tournament is just beginning.

If you could purchase shares in women’s rugby, it would be your best option right now, said New Zealand international Ruby Tui, a pundit for BBC Sport.

“This is such a buzz to be here in England to see this phenomenal growth of our game. Every weekend, world records are broken, and I’m happy to do so.

Every game is broadcast on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app, and BBC Sport is the exclusive broadcaster of the Rugby World Cup.