On Saturday afternoon more than 50,000 fans will descend on Twickenham Stadium to not only watch England’s final match of the Women’s Six Nations against France but also be part of history. Because the fixture is set to smash all previous records for attendances at a women’s rugby match and set a new standard in the sport just two years out from the next Rugby World Cup on these shores.
But this is not an isolated example. Tickets to watch the Lionesses at Wembley have been like gold dust as the nation’s top footballers prepare for the Women’s World Cup down in Australia and New Zealand later this year. And with the Women’s Ashes being staged alongside the men’s for the first time in England this summer, tickets for the iconic cricket series are selling fast.
Women’s sport litmus test
So in a year where there’s no major tournament in this country to anchor women’s sport to, is what some are describing as a litmus test providing positive results?
“We’ve been planning the Twickenham fixture against France for some time now and worked hard to secure the investment needed to put the game on at the home of English Rugby,” Alex Teasdale, the Rugby Football Union’s women’s game director, told City A.M.
“The fact that over 50,000 spectators are due to come and watch England’s women in their first standalone fixture at Twickenham Stadium next weekend is testament to the swell in fanbase we are starting to see.”
Beth Barrett-Wild, director of the women’s professional game at the England and Wales Cricket Board, agrees.
“This summer will be bigger than ever for women’s cricket. Ticket sales are absolutely flying, with over 65,000 fans having already secured their seats to watch England women in actio
…. to be continued
Read full article at the Original Source
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : CityAM – https://www.cityam.com/why-2023-is-the-year-of-the-litmus-test-for-womens-rugby-cricket-and-football/
