Women’s rugby continues to write historic chapters, and with the recent launch of the WXV Global Series by World Rugby and 18 national unions, a decisive step has been taken to consolidate its international growth. This ambitious sports project not only aims to organize more than 100 matches between 2026 and 2028 but also to provide competitive security in the calendar and build a solid path toward the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 in Australia.

The WXV Global Series is shaping up as an international milestone for the world’s top 18 national teams, who will compete across two tiers. The twelve top-ranked teams, including Australia, Canada, England, and New Zealand, will play home-and-away matches in an interregional format, while teams ranked 13th to 18th will compete in an annual tournament held in a single venue, funded by World Rugby. This innovative structure allows unions to host matches at home, retain their commercial rights, and reinvest in development programs and player pathways.

A calendar designed for competition and growth

The WXV Global Series is not just a calendar of international matches but a competitive platform to raise performance standards and ensure that every game carries strategic value. With more than 100 matches across three years, the tournament will allow national teams to face new rivals, generate sporting rivalries, and prepare players for the challenges of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029.

The series also prioritizes the commercial sustainability of women’s rugby, enabling national unions to keep the rights to their home games and encouraging sports investment in player development. This approach ensures that growth does not depend solely on major tournaments but also extends to local communities, strengthening the global structure of the sport. The combination of high performance, security for unions, and a solid financial model makes the WXV Global Series a groundbreaking project.

A historic boost for women’s rugby

The president of World Rugby, Brett Robinson, described the launch of the WXV Global Series as a historic milestone: “It fulfills our commitment to raising standards, delivering consistent and international competition, and generating sustainable commercial outcomes for women’s rugby.” Meanwhile, Nicky Ponsford, World Rugby’s Director of High Performance, emphasized that the initiative builds on the momentum of rugby after the successful Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in England, which broke attendance and global audience records.

Beyond the numbers, the WXV Global Series reflects the sporting humanity and passion of women’s rugby. Each match will be an opportunity for players, national unions, and fans to connect with the essence of the sport: effort, teamwork spirit, and perseverance. By providing security, sustainable development, and international projection, the series promises to inspire the next generation of players, building a lasting legacy for rugby worldwide.