Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) is the top tier of professional women’s rugby union in England, representing the highest level of the domestic game. Rebranded from the Premier 15s in 2023, the competition reflects the rapid professionalisation and growing popularity of women’s rugby across the UK.
The league features England’s elite women’s clubs competing across a structured season that prioritises performance standards, player welfare, and long-term growth of the sport. Matches are intense, physical, and technically advanced, showcasing the very best talent available to the women’s game. Many of the league’s players are full England internationals, making Premiership Women’s Rugby a direct extension of the international pathway.
For fans, PWR offers access to elite rugby in club environments that are increasingly professional, accessible, and community-driven.
Premiership Women’s Rugby is central to the success and sustainability of women’s rugby in England. It provides the competitive framework needed to develop international-standard players while building commercially viable clubs.
The competition matters because it:
England’s dominance on the international stage is closely linked to the strength of Premiership Women’s Rugby. Regular exposure to elite-level opposition prepares players for the physicality, speed, and tactical complexity of international fixtures such as the Women’s Six Nations and Rugby World Cup.
London plays a key role in Premiership Women’s Rugby, hosting several high-profile clubs and fixtures across the season. Teams such as Saracens Women, Harlequins Women, and Trailfinders Women (based just outside central London) ensure the capital remains a focal point of the league.
London-based matches are staged at modern rugby venues including:
These venues provide excellent sightlines, strong atmospheres, and easy transport links. London fixtures often attract strong crowds, particularly for derby matches and games involving international stars returning from England duty.
Premiership Women’s Rugby tickets are generally affordable and accessible, making the league attractive to families, grassroots clubs, and new fans discovering the sport.
Ticket demand trends include:
As awareness of the league grows, attendance figures continue to rise, particularly in London where women’s sport has seen strong recent momentum.
Premiership Women’s Rugby benefits from regular broadcast and streaming coverage, significantly boosting the league’s visibility. Matches are shown live on dedicated sports platforms, with highlights widely shared across social media and digital channels.
Broadcast coverage focuses on:
This increased media exposure has been critical in attracting sponsorship, improving professionalism, and growing the fanbase year on year.