13 min readThe biggest-ever celebration of women’s rugby, the Women's Rugby World Cup, comes to England from Friday 22 August until Saturday 27 September, and Bristol is lucky enough to be one of the host cities!
We've rounded up everything you need to know about the tournament in Bristol, whether you're visiting to attend one of the matches, want to soak up the atmosphere in the Fan Zone, or are just looking for somewhere to watch all of the action on TV.
Skip to: Fixtures in Bristol | Fan Zone | Where to stay | Things to do | Places to eat | Getting to the games
Rugby World Cup Fixtures in Bristol
Bristol will host two of the quarter-final games and both semi-finals at Ashton Gate Stadium to the south of the city.
- Quarter Final 2: Canada v Australia on Saturday 13 September, kicking off at 4pm
- Quarter Final 4: England v Scotland on Sunday 14 September, kicking off at 4pm
- Semi-Final 1: New Zealand v Canada on Friday 19 September, kicking off at 7pm
- Semi-Final 2: France v England on Saturday 20 September, kicking off at 3:30pm
If you've already got tickets to one of the games, you can find out more about your seat, stadium facilities, merchandise, accessibility and more on the Ashton Gate Stadium website.
There will be a Fan Plaza at Ashton Gate for ticket holders ONLY, with food, drink, live entertainment, and more. The Fan Plaza opens four hours before kick-off and will feature pop-ups from Bristol’s local restaurants and top street food traders, with added food and drink options at the Independence Sports Bar, which boasts one of the largest screens in the country and where you can watch other games before the match.
There are also plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants in the local area should you want to stop off on your way to the stadium. Highlights include the Bristol Beer Factory Taproom and Tobacco Factory Cafe Bar, both are which are just a short distance from Ashton Gate and have plenty of room if you're travelling with a group.
Ashton Gate Stadium is linked to the Fan Zone via a dedicated and signposted Rugby World Cup 2025 walking route, which takes around 35 minutes. For other travel options, please see below.
- Get your tickets for the Rugby World Cup in Bristol
- Get the latest updates on the Official Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 app
Image - Ashton Gate Stadium
The Bristol Fan Zone
Located at the iconic harbourside amphitheatre in the city centre, the Fan Zone will be open to the public on all match days. It will be free to visit and no tickets or advance booking is required. Just show up and get ready to soak up the atmosphere! The Fan Zone is open-air and uncovered, so plan ahead and dress for both rain and shine.
The Fan Zone will be hosted by former England international Amber Reed and Welsh rising star Jenna De Vera across both weekends.
Fan Zone opening times
- Saturday 13 September 11am – 7pm
- Sunday 14 September 11am – 7pm
- Friday19 September 3pm – 9pm
- Saturday 20 September 11am – 7pm
In the Fan Zone, you can expect several rugby-themed activities to test your skills, as well as a craft area, street food, a bar and live entertainment. There will also be a large screen to watch the games live.
Image - Rugby World Cup Fan Zone in Bristol
Sporty activities include:
- Practice your aim with Sixes Social Cricket
- Scale Mendip Activity Centre's climbing wall
- Ice hockey shooting tunnel with Bristol Pitbulls
- Pop-up mini golf from Par 59
- Inflatable batting cage from Gloucestershire County Cricket
- Non-contact boxing zone from Empire Fighting Chance
Families will also be able to enjoy a range of creative activities, such as learning the science behind rugby balls from We The Curious. Keep your eyes peeled for roaming Circus City performers on quarter-finals weekend, plus live music and dance on semi-finals weekend.
The site is fully accessible, with Blue Badge parking nearby on Millennium Square. It will be a family-friendly event, and you're welcome to bring your dog along too.
Image - Rugby World Cup Fan Zone in Bristol
Getting to the Fan Zone
If you're heading straight to the Fan Zone, the closest bus stop is on Anchor Road, next to We The Curious, and is a five-minute walk away. It is also only a short walk from The Centre, where many other bus routes stop, as well as the Bristol Ferry waterbus service, which you can catch from Temple Meads Station and around the harbour. Alternatively, the Fan Zone is approximately a 20-minute walk from Temple Meads train station.
The Fan Zone and its surrounding area are no-riding zones for e-scooters and e-bikes, but parking can be found on nearby Anchor Road and next to College Green.
If you want to walk to Ashton Gate Stadium from the Fan Zone, follow the signposted Rugby World Cup walking route.
Image - Harbourside Amphitheatre
Where to stay
If you're coming to Bristol to watch one of the games, why not stay for a bit longer to enjoy the city?
For the duration of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, Premier Suites in Cabot Circus and Redcliffe are giving 10% off with code ‘WRWC10’ for all online bookings on their website. Their Redcliffe apartments are just five minutes walk from the Fan Zone, and within easy reach of Ashton Gate Stadium too.
The Bristol Hotel is a partner of Ashton Gate Stadium and offers premium rooms with harbourside views, while the Radisson Blu Bristol, Bristol Marriott Royal and Doubletree by Hilton Bristol City Centre are also perfectly placed for the Fan Zone and walking or bus routes to Ashton Gate Stadium.
Bristol has a wealth of options, from boutique city centre hotels to spacious apartments and budget stays, so you're sure to find something to suit your needs and preferences.
Image - The Bristol Hotel
Things to do
Along the walking route from Temple Meads Station or the Fan Zone to Ashton Gate Stadium, there are many Bristol attractions worth visiting while you're in the city.
Bristol Aquarium and We The Curious are just a few minutes walk from the Fan Zone, and provide a great day out for families and inquisitive minds.
Walking along the harbourside, you'll first come to M Shed, a free-to-visit museum that tells the story of our city. Moored outside is The Matthew, step aboard and learn more about Bristol's maritime history. A little further along is Brunel’s SS Great Britain, a magnificent Victorian ship which has been restored to its former glory and houses several museums.
Closer to Ashton Gate are contemporary art gallery Spike Island, and historic boatyard, museum and cafe Underfall Yard, both of which are free to visit.
Image - Brunel's SS Great Britain
If you're visiting Bristol for the first time, why not take a tour to get a feel of the city? Discover Bristol's street art scene, try some local food, or learn about a few of Bristol's most famous residents on a Blackbeard to Banksy Walking Tour. We'd also highly recommend taking a boat trip to see Bristol from the water!
Craving a bit of culture? Check out some of the current exhibitions, watch some live music, or have a night at the theatre.
Or if you want to watch more of the Women's Rugby World Cup games on TV, we've put together a list of bars and venues screening the games. Make sure to nab your free ticket to watch the final on the giant screen in Ashton Gate's Independence Sports Bar on Saturday 27 September!
Image - Bristol Street Art Walking Tours
Where to eat
In Bristol, you're never short of options when it comes to fantastic food and drink!
On the walking route to Ashton Gate Stadium, you'll pass the trendy harbourside district of Wapping Wharf, home to many of Bristol's best-loved independent businesses, from neon-lit Japanese-inspired restaurant Seven Lucky Gods, to French classics at Lapin and award-winning gelato at Swoon. Former Red Rose Amber Reed says it's a must-visit!
Another recommendation from the RWC community is St Nicholas Market in the city centre, a hotspot for top-notch street food, from pie and mash to tapas, tacos and Tibetan momos.
Image - CARGO 2 in Wapping Wharf
Taking the ferry from the city centre to Ashton Gate Stadium? Alight at The Cottage ferry landing, which is just a 20-minute walk from Ashton Gate Stadium, and means you can enjoy an en-route refreshment at The Cottage Inn, which has some of the best views across the harbour, and is a great spot to get a photo of the famous rainbow Bristol houses.
Closer to Ashton Gate Stadium, tuck into flavour-packed Indian dishes at Bombil, award-winning Mediterranean-inspired small plates at COR, enjoy a top quality tipple at Spirited, or kick back in the hidden garden with a glass of wine and a cheese board at KASK. You'll find even more options as you make your way along North Street, a bustling high street full of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants on the doorstep of the stadium.
Image - The Cottage Inn
Getting to the games
Walking
The RWC recommend that one of the best ways to the stadium and Fan Zone is… walking! And we couldn’t agree more; take in the sights of Bristol while getting your steps in.
- From Bristol Temple Meads Station, Ashton Gate Stadium is a 45-minute walk.
- From Bristol Harbourside and the Fan Zone, Ashton Gate Stadium is a 35-minute walk. View the walking route map
- From Clifton Village, Ashton Gate Stadium is a 30-minute walk.
- From Parson Street Station, Ashton Gate Stadium is a 20-minute walk.
Follow the dedicated Rugby World Cup 2025 walking route from the Bristol Fan Zone to Ashton Gate Stadium, designed to show you some of the key cultural sites of Bristol before the match.
Cycling
Bristol is a cyclable city, with plenty of bike lanes and bike racks, as well as Dott e-scooters and e-bikes, which you can rent from locations across the city.
At Ashton Gate Stadium, there are 96 bike racks; however, we recommend arriving early to make sure there is one available. E-scooters and e-bikes are not allowed on Stadium grounds; however, there are designated Dott parking spots on Marsh Road north of the stadium and on Winterstoke Road south-west of the stadium. Find out more on the Dott app or on TravelWest.
Shuttle Bus
There will be dedicated shuttle services to Ashton Gate Stadium on some match days, which must be booked in advance. All shuttle bus services are accessible. Please note that all shuttle bus services are SOLD OUT.
- Route 1 - Portway Park and Ride to Winterstoke Road
- Route 2 - Brislington Park and Ride to Winterstoke Road
- Route 3 - Bristol Temple Meads, Haymarket and St Augustine’s Parade to Winterstoke Road
Local Buses
The closest bus stops to Ashton Gate Stadium are Winterstoke Road, Blackmoors Lane, Bath Street and Smyth Road. The best local bus routes to use are:
- M2 to Long Ashton from Bristol City Centre
- 24 to Ashton Gate from Southmead Hospital
- X1/X7 to Weston-Super-Mare from Bristol City Centre
- X6 to Clevedon from Bristol City Centre
- X4 to Portishead from Bristol City Centre
- X8/X9 to Nailsea from Bristol City Centre
If you’re arriving from Bristol International Airport, the Airport Flyer Service A1 will stop near Parson Street Station on Chessel Street, which is a 15-minute walk to Ashton Gate Stadium.
First Bus services have dedicated wheelchair spaces on buses and ramps that can be brought out when asked. Check their bus accessibility page for more information.
When catching the bus, remember to hail it by raising your arm and putting your hand out to signal to the driver that you want to get on board.
Train
Bristol Temple Meads is the city’s central railway station, located only 10 minutes from the city centre. Another key station for getting into the city is Bristol Parkway, situated to the north of Bristol and a 30-minute drive from the centre, or you can interchange for trains to Temple Meads.
Bristol also has the Severn Beach line, which connects Bristol Temple Meads to several suburbs around the city. You can take this line to Parson Street Station, only a 15-minute walk from Ashton Gate Stadium. Please be aware that Parson Street Station has no step-free access, and the nearest station with accessible access to Ashton Gate will be Bedminster Station, which is a 30-minute walk from the stadium.
Image - GWR
Boat
One of the best ways to see Bristol is from the water, and on match days, Bristol Ferry is running a new service that will link Temple Meads, the Fan Zone in the city centre, and The Cottage Inn, where visitors can walk to Ashton Gate Stadium.
Ferry waterbus stops include Temple Quay next to Temple Meads Station, Castle Park, City Centre, Wapping Wharf, Brunel’s SS Great Britain, The Mardyke and The Cottage Inn.
Image - Bristol Ferry
Car
The main car park for Ashton Gate Stadium is Winterstoke Road Car Park, accessible from both Wedlock Road and Winterstoke Road. The car park is operated by YourParkingSpace and can be booked in advance as well as through pay and display. There are no designated drop-off/pick-up points for the stadium.
Parking is also available at the Portway Park and Ride and the Brislington Park and Ride, with a dedicated shuttle service to and from the stadium.
Central Bristol is now part of the Clean Air Zone (CAZ), which means non-compliant vehicles will be charged extra for using roads in the CAZ. So, if you’re travelling through central Bristol, please be aware of this. For more information, visit our page on driving & parking in Bristol
Read more:
- Women's Rugby World Cup in Bristol
- Where to watch the Women's Rugby World Cup in Bristol
- Sporting events in Bristol
- Getting around Bristol
