WXV Global Series: Rugby Canada & World Rugby Partnership

September 18, 2025 David Thompson - Sports Editor Sports

Key Takeaways from the WXV global Series Declaration:

Here’s a breakdown of the critically important data from the provided text:

What is the WXV Global Series?

* ⁢ A new international women’s rugby⁤ competition designed to transform the global calendar and build momentum towards the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
* It’s a central part of the‍ qualification pathway for the 2029⁢ World Cup in Australia.

who is ​involved?

* 18 national teams: The ‍top 18 women’s rugby teams in the world.
* World Rugby: Organizing and funding aspects of the series.
*‌ ‌ National Unions: Responsible for hosting home matches (for the top 12 teams) and benefiting from commercial rights.
* ‌ international‍ rugby Players Association: ⁢Partner in the launch.

How will it ⁤work?

* Two tiers:

* ⁣ Top 12 Teams (Australia, Canada, England, France, Italy, Ireland, Japan, New zealand, scotland, South Africa, USA, Wales): Will compete in a home-and-away touring model (cross-regional) during a September-October international window. They retain commercial rights to home fixtures.
* ‍ Teams ​13-18 (Brazil, Fiji, Hong Kong China, Netherlands, Samoa, Spain): ⁢Will play all their fixtures at a single, centrally funded destination (by World Rugby) in 2026 and 2028.
* Rankings: Team positions are fixed for the 2026-28 cycle, based on rankings⁣ at the ‌end of WXV 2024.
* 2027 Season: Will ⁣include additional fixtures for teams not involved in the⁤ British and Irish Lions Women’s Tour to New Zealand.

Why is‍ this important?

* Increased Competition: Provides more meaningful and consistent competition for all participating teams.
* Growth & Sustainability: Aims to fuel fan engagement, commercial growth, and long-term sustainability of the women’s game.
* Advancement: Supports developing nations (teams ‍13-18) through funding and⁤ a centralized competition format.
* Fan Growth: Builds ⁤on the already growing popularity of women’s rugby (record attendance at Women’s Six Nations, high viewership of RWC ‍2025).
* Commercial Opportunities: ‍Allows ​Unions to capitalize on the growing interest in women’s rugby ⁢through home fixture commercial rights.

Key Dates/Timeline:

* ‌ 2026-2028: The WXV Global Series will run with ‍over 100 ‍matches.
*⁢ ⁢ 2029: Women’s Rugby World ⁣Cup in australia – the WXV series is a key qualification pathway.