If you’re like me and have noticed rugby’s rise in popularity over the last several years, you’re in luck: The most heart-pumping part of the sport’s marquee event is going on right now. I’m talking, of course, about the Women’s Rugby World Cup knockout rounds, which get underway September 13.
Sixteen national teams started in August, marking the tournament’s expansion of the field. Now, it’s down to eight. New Zealand is the team to beat, having won six of nine trophies in the competition’s history. But England will have something to say about that as the host country. Unfortunately, the United States bowed out during group play.
To watch every match in this sure-to-be-scintillating tournament, I’ve broken down the complete U.S. broadcast schedule below. I’ve outlined the most convenient viewing options to help you avoid a TV scrum on game day.
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What channels have Women’s Rugby World Cup games?
In the U.S., the Women’s Rugby World Cup is exclusive to Paramount+ this year in a deal that runs through the end of the decade and includes other rugby competitions. CBS Sports Network will also air select marquee matchups throughout the tournament, and it’s possible some games could appear on the main CBS channel.
2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup TV schedule
Knockout stages of any tournament in any sport is one of my favorite things in the world. More than ever, every day of the Women’s Rugby World Cup is going to have massive implications.
What I will say, though, is, unlike other World Cups, the rugby matches mainly occur on Saturdays and Sundays. So while your weekends might be primed for appointment viewing, there’s a possibility of losing momentum as soon as the weekdays hit. On the other hand, the schedule could be perfect for diehard rugby fans and casuals alike who also happen to be working professionals.
Check out the full World Cup knockout rounds TV schedules below, which I’ll update as soon as more information is available.
Women’s Rugby World Cup knockout rounds schedule
| Match | Date | Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterfinals | |||
| New Zealand vs. South Africa | Saturday, Sept. 13 | 8:00 a.m. | CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ |
| Canada vs. Australia | Saturday, Sept. 13 | 11:00 a.m. | Paramount+ |
| France vs. Ireland | Sunday, Sept. 14 | 8:00 a.m. | Paramount+ |
| England vs. Scotland | Sunday, Sept. 14 | 11:00 a.m. | CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ |
| Semifinals | |||
| New Zealand vs. Canada | Friday, Sept. 19 | 2:00 p.m. | CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ |
| France vs. England | Saturday, Sept. 20 | 10:30 a.m. | Paramount+ |
| Bronze Final | |||
| New Zealand vs. France | Saturday, Sept. 27 | 7:30 a.m. | CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ |
| Final | |||
| Canada vs. England | Saturday, Sept. 27 | 11:00 a.m. | Paramount+ |
Data effective as of post date.
Did you know? The last time the USA women’s rugby team won a World Cup was 1991—the first-ever year of the tournament.
Best TV plans for watching the Women’s Rugby World Cup
As previously mentioned, the Women’s Rugby World Cup will stream exclusively on Paramount+. Games airing on CBS or CBS Sports Network will stream there as well. See below for the streaming service’s pricing and other features to consider even beyond the tournament.
Paramount+ ($7.99–$12.99/mo.)
Paramount+ is the one-stop shop for rugby fans over the next several years. Aside from the Women’s World Cup, the service will stream the men’s tournament, all USA Rugby National Team matches, the Men’s Pacific Nations Cup final, and more.
Paramount+ has so much more to offer, too. For instance, NFL fans can watch any games broadcast on CBS throughout the season. There’s also a slew of movies and original content. And, my personal favorite: the entire South Park library is on the service after the cartoon’s creators reached a deal worth north of $1 billion.
How to watch the Women’s Rugby World Cup for free
Paramount+ offers a free seven-day trial for both its Premium and Essential plans, but I’d recommend choosing the Premium tier for the Rugby World Cup. It’s ad-free for on-demand content, you can download shows and movies, and you can stream your local CBS station live. The only problem with the free trial is it won’t cover you for the entire World Cup.
Nabbing an over-the-air (OTA) antenna can also get you free access to CBS. While it’s not official whether CBS will carry Women’s Rugby World Cup matches, it’s certainly possible. Plus, rugby fans with an eye on the 2028 Summer Olympics can access NBC for free with an antenna as well.
How to watch the Women’s Rugby World Cup FAQ
How did USA women’s rugby do in 2025 World Cup?
The United States national team did not make it past pool play in the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup. It lost to England, tied with Australia, and beat Samoa, finishing third in Pool A.
Where is the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025?
England is the host country for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025. Matches will be played in Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Exeter, London, Manchester, Northampton, Sunderland, and York.
Who won the last Women’s Rugby World Cup?
New Zealand won the last two Women’s Rugby World Cups in 2017 and 2021.
How many followers does Ilona Maher have?
Ilona Maher, who plays for the U.S. Women’s Rugby team, has more than 8 million followers across TikTok and Instagram. Don’t be surprised to see that number skyrocket if the Eagles have a successful World Cup.
Why you should trust us
Alex, a junior sports writer at CableTV.com, researched the history of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, verified the official tournament schedule, and confirmed the length of scope of the broadcast agreements. From there, he determined the most comprehensive and least cumbersome way for fans to get the best access to the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
