What a weekend! Women’s Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour welcomed in Brighton & Hove style.

The Women’s Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour received a warm Brighton & Hove welcome over the weekend, with celebrations which took the trophy to dazzling new heights!

And the fun has continued today with city Mayor Cllr Mohammed Asaduzzaman joining dozens of women and girls on the seafront for a Strive 25 T1 rugby demonstration.

Weekend of celebrations

On Saturday morning, Council Leader Bella Sankey was delighted to welcome the trophy tour to the city and kick off a weekend of celebrations, as crowds gathered on the seafront to see the new specially commissioned silverware.

“We are incredibly proud to have been chosen as one of eight host cities for the prestigious Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 tournament, which will raise the profile of women’s sport and showcase our sporting city on the world stage,” said Bella.

Reaching new heights!

Joining i360 owner Sarah Willingham and former England Red Rose Shaunagh Brown, Bella accompanied the trophy as it travelled 138 metres above sea level in the iconic i360 viewing pod, before going in display on the seafront.

“We have a thriving community of women and girls who play rugby in our City and across Sussex. Moments like this are really important in inspiring everyone taking part and letting women and girls participating in rugby know that they are succeeding and doing brilliantly,” added Bella.

Player portraits

On the ground, celebrations were in full swing as Brighton based artist collective The Postman unveiled and signed four specially commissioned street-art-style player portraits.

The portraits, which will remain on display for the rest of the week, represent players from the four countries competing in Women’s Rugby World Cup matches in the city this September – England, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

Landmark moment

"As The Postman, being part of this collaboration is more than just creating art — it’s about capturing the raw passion of rugby and the rising power of women’s sport.” says The Postman.

“The Women’s Rugby World Cup is a landmark moment, and Brighton — with its vibrant community and spirit of inclusivity — is the perfect canvas for it. 

"It was a great creative challenge for us to adapt our usually bold, pop-art palette to the tournament’s lead colours — gold and hibiscus — and still reflect the same energy and impact.

“We’re proud to bring this story to life on the streets of our city."

Trophy tour

The trophy visited the city as part of a three-week tour of England dropping in at all eight host cities in the build up to the tournament in September.

Full details of each stop’s events and appearances, along with information about the tournament and how to get tickets, are available on the official Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 website.