Canada set to break North American women's rugby attendance record against England's Red Roses

Ticket sales for Canada’s home fixture against England’s Red Roses at Toronto’s BMO Field on 16 October have exceeded the North American attendance record for a standalone women’s rugby match, Rugby Canada has confirmed. The current benchmark of 11,453 was set on 1 August 2025 when Canada hosted the USA Women’s Eagles in a World Cup send-off game.

The match forms the opening leg of The Rugby Rematch Tour, a three-game WXV Global Series series that revisits the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final pairing. The sides will also meet in Exeter on 19 September before a third fixture at TD Place in Ottawa on 23 October.

Vice-captain Alexandra Tessier believes the team’s World Cup campaign planted the seed for the growing fanbase. “I thought we captured a lot of supporters during the World Cup last year, and this confirms that we’ve got them hooked and that they are still with us and supporting us,” she said. “Canadians are buying into this team and buying into our sport. It’s amazing to see.”

Tessier, who captained Canada at the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and retained the armband through this year’s Pacific Four Series — where the team finished second — also pointed to the atmosphere that home fixtures generate. “Every Canadian supporter always gives it their all, and the vibe is always incredible when we play at home,” she added.

For the WXV Global Series squad, World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year Sophie de Goede has retaken the captaincy from Tessier. Three-time Olympian Charity Williams is named as a potential Test debutant, adding further intrigue to a series that already carries the weight of a World Cup final rematch.