Andy Devaney
If you thought the Women’s Rugby World Cup was just about bone-crunching tackles and perfectly weighted kicks, think again.
This year’s tournament will kick off with pop firepower, as chart-topping sensation Anne-Marie is set to electrify Sunderland’s Stadium of Light with a live pre-match performance ahead of England’s opening clash with the USA on Friday 22 August.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 isn’t easing its way in—it’s kicking the doors off the hinges. Thanks to a team-up between World Rugby and headline sponsor O2, fans will be treated to a full-throttle opening show produced by entertainment giants Live Nation.
Anne-Marie, the voice behind hits like 2002, Rockabye, and Friends, will take centre stage before the first whistle is even blown.
“I’m so excited to perform at the Opening Show presented by O2 and be part of this massive moment for women’s sport,” Anne-Marie said. “Now that I’ve got a daughter of my own, it means even more to be involved in something that shows the next generation that they can do anything. I know Sunderland is going to be going crazy, and I can’t wait to be part of it!”
The show will be the spark that lights up six weeks of international competition featuring 16 of the best teams in the world, all scrapping for glory across eight English stadiums. And the match itself—England versus the USA—could set the tone for the entire tournament.
Tickets for the opener are already flying, with more than 330,000 snapped up for the tournament overall. Prices start at just a tenner for adults and a fiver for kids, making it one of the most accessible major sporting events on the calendar. Fans can grab theirs now at tickets.rugbyworldcup.com.
As part of the celebration, O2 and Virgin Media broadband customers can enter a ballot for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet Anne-Marie before she hits the stage. The draw, run through O2’s Priority app, is open until 4 August.
Sarah Massey, Managing Director of the tournament, believes the artist choice couldn’t be more fitting: “Anne-Marie is an exciting British singer-songwriter celebrated for her powerful vocals, dynamic performances, and genre-blending pop hits, and we are thrilled that she will be opening Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 on 22 August in Sunderland.
Her music often delves into themes of empowerment, love, and personal growth, resonating with what rugby brings to its communities around the world.”
Gareth Griffiths, Director of Partnerships and Sponsorship at Virgin Media O2, added: “It’s impossible to overstate the importance of this tournament for women’s rugby, and the opening match is a landmark moment for sports fans everywhere.
O2 is proud to play its part as an Official Partner… Anne-Marie is one of the UK’s most exciting music talents and the perfect artist to kick off the proceedings.”
Live Nation’s James Massing echoed the sentiment: “Working alongside World Rugby and O2 to highlight the incredible talent in the women’s game is a great opportunity.
Anne-Marie is the perfect act for the opening show, and we’re excited to be part of delivering this unforgettable experience.”
So, whether you’re there for the footwork or the fireworks, the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup promises to be a show you won’t want to miss—especially if you fancy belting out a chorus before the action begins.
