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Premiership Women’s Rugby says average attendances rose by 23.4% during the 2025-26 season, which concluded in June with Saracens winning a record fourth title.<\/b><\/p>\n
The numbers have been aided by the boost the sport received by England winning a home World Cup<\/a> at Twickenham in September 2025 and come despite the departure of United States star Ilona Maher from Bristol Bears.<\/p>\n Maher, who is the most followed rugby union player in the world on social media, generated unprecedented attention for the league during her stint in Bristol during the 2024-25 campaign.<\/p>\n The league also reported a 132% increase in social media following, a 310% growth in its database and more than 111 million views across YouTube, Meta and TikTok – a 174% increase in viewing figures. <\/p>\n Last season was the first during which every PWR match was broadcast live across platforms including TNT Sports, BBC Sport and YouTube. <\/p>\n PWR executive chair Genevieve Shore said the figures were encouraging given the high benchmark set by the 2024-25 season. <\/p>\n “Ilona’s impact was extraordinary,” Shore said. “It brought a huge amount of attention to our league and to our players, and we should absolutely celebrate that.<\/p>\n “So when you look at the fact that we have continued to grow from there, post-World Cup and after that incredible spike in interest, I think that is particularly encouraging.<\/p>\n “We can see growth across so many different areas of the business, and that gives us confidence that the work we’re doing is truly connecting with fans.”<\/p>\n The 2026-27 season of the nine-team PWR, which was launched in 2023<\/a> following the rebrand of the Premier 15s, is set to begin in November. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n