Ireland to Host Annual Women's Rugby Tournament

Ireland will welcome the world's best women's rugby teams to play on home soil every year, transforming how the sport grows and reaches fans across the country.

The WXV Global Series replaces the previous WXV competition and brings together the top 12 teams in the world. Ireland will host powerhouse nations like the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada in rotating matches during the autumn break.

For Irish fans, this means five to six international home games every year. That's never happened before in women's rugby history.

Lynne Cantwell, the Irish Rugby Football Union's head of women's strategy and former player with 86 caps, calls it "a mini-World Cup every year, but on home soil." The tournament will give teams crucial preparation time before the 2029 World Cup in Australia, with squads playing between nine and 16 test matches annually.

Ireland's first home matches against the USA and Japan will be announced before the end of the Six Nations. Scotland, Wales, England, France, Italy, and South Africa round out the tournament lineup.

Why This Inspires

This tournament represents something bigger than just more games on the calendar. Cantwell and the IRFU are working toward financial independence for women's rugby, building revenue through tickets, broadcasting rights, and sponsorships instead of relying on men's game funding.

The vision draws inspiration from successful women's sports organizations worldwide, including England's Women's Super League and American basketball leagues. England's Rugby Football Union aims to achieve return on investment for their women's program by 2031 to 2033, setting a benchmark for others to follow.

Regular home games create visibility that matters. Young girls will see world-class athletes competing in their communities, sponsors will see engaged audiences, and the sport will build the foundation it needs to stand on its own.

Ireland's pack performance in their recent match against France showed what's possible when investment meets talent. The tournament will amplify that potential every single year.