Why women’s rugby is crushing it

Let’s talk rugby. For years, men’s rugby was the golden child of the sport—big hits, packed stadiums, and die-hard fans. But recently, there’s been a shift in the game. Women’s rugby is absolutely dominating the spotlight, while the men’s game is stuck in a rut. Social media buzz? Women’s rugby owns it. Free-to-air TV deals? Women’s games are front and centre. Meanwhile, men’s rugby is out here fumbling the bag with financial disasters, declining participation, and a whole lot of bad vibes.

Women’s Rugby: The Glow-Up We All Needed

First off, women’s rugby is winning because it’s everywhere. You don’t need a second mortgage to watch a match—it’s on free TV! The BBC has been putting women’s games like the Six Nations on free-to-air channels, and guess what? People are watching in droves. Over 8 million tuned in for the 2024 Women’s Six Nations. Free TV = more eyeballs = more fans. Simple math.

But it doesn’t stop there. Social media is where women’s rugby really shines. Players like Ilona Maher are killing it on TikTok and Instagram with relatable, funny content that brings in younger fans who might not even know what a ruck is. These athletes aren’t just players—they’re influencers who make you want to root for them. And guess what? That translates to ticket sales and merch buys.Then there’s representation. Seeing women crush it on the field inspires young girls everywhere to pick up a ball and give it a go. It’s not just about sports—it’s about showing that women belong in these spaces just as much as men do. Add in some killer marketing campaigns like England Rugby’s “Inner Warrior,” and you’ve got a movement that feels fresh, inclusive, and unstoppable.

Men’s Rugby: Fumbling the Bag

Now let’s talk about why men’s rugby feels like it’s stuck in 2010 while women’s rugby is living in 2025. For starters, the money situation is an absolute dumpster fire. Big-name clubs like Wasps and Worcester Warriors have gone belly-up because they couldn’t manage their finances. Fans are losing trust, players are jumping ship, and the whole thing feels like a sinking ship.

And don’t even get me started on participation rates. Fewer people are playing men’s rugby these days because parents are worried about concussions, and honestly? There are just too many other sports competing for attention now. The grassroots scene is drying up, which means fewer young players coming through the ranks.

On top of that, men’s rugby has this weird elitist vibe that turns people off—especially in places like England where it feels like a private school boys’ club. Compare that to women’s rugby, which comes across as way more inclusive and community-driven, and you start to see why fans are flocking to one over the other.

Oh, and let’s not forget performance issues (cough Wales’ losing streak cough). When your national teams aren’t delivering on the field, it gets harder for fans to stay invested.

Why Women Are Winning (and Men Aren’t)

Here’s the deal: women’s rugby is thriving because it knows how to connect with modern audiences. It’s accessible (shoutout to free TV), relatable (thanks to social media), and inspiring (representation matters). Meanwhile, men’s rugby feels stuck in its old ways—paywalls on games, financial chaos at clubs, and an outdated image that isn’t resonating anymore.

Women’s rugby is giving people what they want: exciting games, authentic athletes who engage with fans online, and a sense of inclusivity that makes everyone feel welcome. Men’s rugby? It needs to wake up before it gets left behind entirely.

The Bottom Line

Women’s rugby is on fire right now because it understands how to grow its audience in 2025: make it easy to watch, tell great stories on social media, and give people role models they can root for. Men’s rugby? It needs to fix its finances, invest in grassroots programs, and shake off its outdated image if it wants to keep up.

So yeah—if you’re not already watching women’s rugby, what are you even doing? Get on board because this train isn’t slowing down anytime soon.