Women’s Rugby World Cup all-time winners: Past champions of the tournament and which nation has won most titles

The Women’s Rugby World Cup has been running since 1991 (although it has only been officially recognised by World Rugby since 1998) and has grown in popularity and visibility year on year.

The 2025 tournament not only brings with it a record-breaking 16 countries represented but is also expected to smashed viewership records throughout the tournament - both in person and at home.

The previous Women’s Rugby World Cup was held in New Zealand, with the final of the Black Ferns vs the Red Roses attracting a record 42,579 fans - a number that the 2025 hosts England are hoping to build on, as the 2025 final will be hosted in the 82,000 capacity Allianz Stadium.

Past champions of the Women’s Rugby World Cup

Only three countries have lifted the trophy throughout the tournament’s 34 year history, with New Zealand being the most prolific victors, bringing home silverware on six separate occasions - having never been defeated in any of their RWC finals.

England follow with two titles in 1994 and 2014, whilst the USA holds only one trophy - from the very first 1991 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Wales.

The full list of Women’s Rugby World Cup winners is:

What does this mean for the Red Roses?

The English are fan favourites to lift the trophy this year, as they currently enjoy top spot in the world rankings and proved their unshakeable command of the game at the 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations, where they won the competition with a Grand Slam.

They will face Australia, Samoa and the USA in their group stages as a part of Pool A, and will kick off the tournament with the inaugural match against the USA at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland on August 22.

Rugby news and related links

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• How does the Rugby World Cup work? Everything you need to know about the upcoming home tournament
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