Women’s Rugby World Cup to be held in October and November 2022 with revamped schedule

This year’s postponed women’s Rugby World Cup will be held in New Zealand in October and November 2022, organisers have confirmed. 

The tournament was due to take place in September and October this year but has pushed back because of the coronavirus pandemic and will now begin on October 8, 2022, with the final on November 12. 

The rescheduled World Cup has also had its tournament window extended from 35 to 43 days, bringing minimum five-day rest periods between games in line with the men’s World Cup.

The format has been rejigged with all games now at weekends -- three on Saturdays and three on Sundays -- and no overlap between matches. The original schedule had seen pool stage games kicking off at the same time and six games per matchday.

“While the postponement was disappointing for everyone, it has provided the unique opportunity to review every aspect of the event to ensure it is the best it can be for the players, fans around the world and the wonderful and enthusiastic New Zealanders,” World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said.

The tournament will be the first women’s Rugby World Cup in the southern hemisphere with matches in Auckland and Whangarei.

Pool phase matches will be played on October 8-9, 15-16 and 22-23, while the quarter-finals will take place on October 29-30 followed by the semi-finals on November 5.

The final will take place on November 12, with Eden Park set to create history by becoming the first stadium to host both the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup finals.

New Zealand are the holders, having beaten England 41-32 in the final in Belfast in 2017.

Additional reporting by Reuters.