Anne-Marie to Headline Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Opening Show

World Rugby and O2 have officially announced that acclaimed pop superstar Anne-Marie will perform at the Opening Show presented by O2 during the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, set to take place on Friday, August 22, at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light. This highly anticipated event marks the beginning of the tournament, where England will face the USA in the inaugural match.

The inclusion of Anne-Marie, known for chart-topping hits such as '2002', 'Friends', and 'Rockabye', adds a vibrant cultural element to the sporting event, which aims to celebrate women's rugby on a grand scale. The performance is seen as a significant moment that underscores the growing visibility and importance of women's sports, particularly rugby, which has been gaining traction globally.

Sarah Massey, Managing Director of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, expressed her enthusiasm for Anne-Marie's involvement, stating, "Anne-Marie is an exciting British singer-songwriter celebrated for her powerful vocals and dynamic performances. We are thrilled that she will open Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in Sunderland, a moment that reflects empowerment and community spirit, themes synonymous with rugby."

The tournament, running from August 22 to September 27, 2025, will be held across eight venues throughout England, marking it as the most extensive celebration of women’s rugby to date. With over 330,000 tickets already sold, the event is already generating considerable excitement among fans, with ticket prices starting as low as £5 for children and £10 for adults.

Gareth Griffiths, Director of Partnerships and Sponsorship at Virgin Media O2, highlighted the importance of this tournament for women’s rugby, remarking, "It’s impossible to overstate the significance 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 of the Women’s Rugby World Cup."

In addition to the performance, O2’s Priority rewards program will offer selected customers the chance to meet Anne-Marie through a ballot system, further enhancing fan engagement. The ballot will be open until August 4, exclusively for O2 and Virgin Media broadband customers.

Anne-Marie shared her excitement ahead of the event, stating, “I’m so excited to perform at the Opening Show presented by O2 and be part of this massive moment for women’s sport. 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 collaboration between music and sport is being orchestrated by Live Nation, with James Massing, Senior Vice President of Special Operations, affirming the importance of highlighting the talent within the women’s game. He stated, “Working alongside World Rugby and O2 to promote this incredible talent is a great opportunity, and we’re excited to deliver this unforgettable experience.”

As the tournament approaches, anticipation continues to build, making the Opening Show a focal point for women’s rugby fans and music lovers alike. The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 promises to be not just a sporting event but a cultural celebration, further establishing the importance of women’s contributions to sports.

For fans eager to witness this landmark event, tickets can be purchased at tickets.rugbyworldcup.com. The combination of a major sporting event and a high-profile musical performance is poised to create a memorable moment in the history of women’s rugby.