Florence Symonds, Photo: Dave Lintott/Rugby Canada
Vancouver is set to host the world’s top six women’s rugby teams this fall at the second annual WXV 1 tournament, an elite international competition, at both BC Place Stadium and Willoughby Stadium at the Langley Events Centre. Join in on the fun over three consecutive weekends from September 29 to October 12 for what promises to be an eclectic atmosphere highlighted by top rugby talent from around the world.
The Tournament
Julia Schell, Photo: Dave Lintott/Rugby Canada
WXV 1 is a global women’s rugby competition launched in 2023 and designed to accelerate the growth of women’s rugby around the world.
Using a split pool format, each team will play three matches against the countries in the opposite pool. Canada is in Pool B with New Zealand and the United States, and so will play the three Pool A teams: England, Ireland, and France.
A total of nine matches featuring Canada, England, France, Ireland, New Zealand and the USA will be played with the 2025 Rugby World Cup on the horizon. The competition will feature the top three teams from the 2024 Pacific Four Series and the top three teams from the 2024 Women’s Six Nations tournament.
Three Weekends
Alex Tessier, Photo: Dave Lintott/Rugby Canada
Weekend 1 – Triple Header: (Sept. 29 @ BC Place)
- Game 1: USA vs. England @ 12:30pm
- Game 2: Canada vs. France @ 3:45pm
- Game 3: Ireland vs. New Zealand @ 7pm
Weekend 2 – Langley Games: (Oct. 5-6 @ Willoughby Stadium)
- Day 1: France vs. USA @ 12:30pm
- Day 1: Canada vs. Ireland @3:45pm
- Day 2: England vs. New Zealand @ 1pm
Weekend 3 – The Finale: (Oct. 11-12 @ BC Place)
- Day 1: Ireland vs. USA @12:45pm
- Day 2: France vs. New Zealand @ 3:45pm
- Day 2: Canada vs. England @ 7pm
Team Canada
DaLeaka Menin, Photo: Dave Lintott/Rugby Canada
Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team, who are currently ranked fourth in the world, finished second in the inaugural competition hosted by New Zealand in 2023, highlighted by wins over France and Wales.
Hosting WXV 1 in Canada comes after another momentous occasion in Canadian rugby history during the 2023 Pacific Four Series when TD Place in Ottawa welcomed a record-setting crowd to watch Canada play New Zealand in addition to their recent silver medal at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics in rugby 7s earlier this week.
Women in Sports
UBC Thunderbirds Women’s Field Hockey, Photo: Bob Frid/UBC Athletics
For those looking to support other local professional women’s sports, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC women’s team are slated to play in the new Northern Super League in 2025 after fielding a team in League1 BC at UBC Thunderbird Stadium.
For collegiate sports and athletics, there are the women’s UBC Thunderbirds teams who compete in U Sports basketball, field hockey, ice hockey, volleyball and more. The SFU Red Leafs also have women’s teams in basketball, soccer, and volleyball that compete in the NCAA Division II.
There’s also the annual Vancouver Sevens rugby tournament every in February/March (also at BC Place) featuring Canada’s Women’s Rugby 7s Team in competition. Many women also compete on mixed-gender teams at the Dragon Boat Festival every year in False Creek.
Sports City
Photo: PavCo/BC Place Stadium
Vancouver is fast becoming known for hosting international sporting events in the heart of downtown. BC Place, in particular, is a premier sports venue known for the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony. It will also host seven matches at the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in addition to the CFL’s 11th Grey Cup later this year and hundreds of year-round events. WXV 1 marks the first time it will host an international women’s rugby fixture.
To browse the tournament schedule and purchase tickets, visit WXV 1’s website.
