Your chance to see the brand new Women's Rugby World Cup Trophy in Sunderland

The trophy the world's top women's rugby teams will be competing for this summer will be in Keel Square between 10 am and 4pm on the first day of the three-day Sunderland Food and Drink Festival. 

World Rugby unveiled the new trophy last month to tie in with the start of the 100-day countdown to the opening match of the Women's Rugby World Cup in Sunderland on Friday 22 August. This will see England's Red Roses take on the USA at the Stadium of Light.

The trophy's visit marks the culmination of a nationwide tour of all eight host cities and towns as excitement continues to build for the record-breaking tournament.

Ahead of its visit to Keel Square on Friday, youngsters from local schools got their chance to put their rugby skills to the test and have their photos taken with rugby's newest icon when it stopped off at Hylton Castle on Wednesday.

Councillor Michael Mordey, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "It's fantastic to have the trophy visiting Sunderland as we count down to hosting the opening match of the Women's Rugby World Cup on 22 August.

"Having the opening game here is a brilliant opportunity to showcase our city on the international stage.

"We're really looking forward to welcoming England's Red Roses and the USA teams to Sunderland, as well as rugby fans from this country and across the world when the tournament kicks off in Sunderland in August.

"It was also great to see our own young players, who could well be the next generation of top rugby stars, demonstrating their own rugby skills during the trophy's stop off at Hylton Castle on Wednesday."

The 2025 tournament is the biggest Women's Rugby World Cup in history after selling more than 300,000 tickets - more than twice the total attendance at the last tournament in New Zealand in 2021.

People visiting Keel Square on Friday will be able to see the new Women's Rugby World Cup trophy and the bespoke RWC 2025 Defender Trophy Tour Vehicle and have the opportunity to have their photo taken with them both.

Councillor Beth Jones is Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Tourism: "With excitement continuing to build now that we're less than 100 days away from the tournament kicking off in Sunderland, this is a brilliant opportunity to have your photo taken with the trophy that the top women's rugby teams in the world are going to be competing for this summer," she said.

"It's also a great chance to find out more about the sport so I'd encourage everyone to come down, have your photo taken with the trophy and enjoy a fantastic time at the Food and Drink Festival while you're here."

Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director, Sarah Massey, said: "Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 promises to be a landmark tournament for the sport and the trophy tour to our host locations provides a brilliant opportunity to ignite excitement across England.

"We look forward to celebrating with fans and encouraging even more people to be a part of this unforgettable tournament."

Sunderland Food & Drink Festival is set to take place across Keel Square, High Street West and Market Square from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 June.

Featuring food from across the world including street food and artisan produce, visitors will also be able to enjoy the live stage programme in Keel Square from 11am to 7pm every day.

For more information on the food and drink festival visit https://sunderlandfooddrinkfest.co.uk/live-entertainment/

To find out more about the Women's Rugby World Cup, how to get tickets and how to get involved in free rugby activities in Sunderland visit:Rugby World Cup 2025 - MySunderland

To find out more about free rugby activities provided by Newcastle Rugby Foundation as community engagement programme partner for the Women's Rugby World Cup, and how to get involved visit: WRWC Countdown - Newcastle Rugby Foundation