Sky New Zealand has announce its comprehensive coverage of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, available live on Sky Sport, streaming on Sky Sport Now, and free-to-air on Sky Open.
The tournament kicks off in England on Friday 22 August (NZT: early morning Saturday 23 August), with the Black Ferns set to defend their title in what promises to be a landmark event for women’s rugby.
As the official broadcaster in Aotearoa NZ, Sky will deliver every match live on Sky Sport and Sky Sport Now. Key fixtures, including all Black Ferns games, will also air free-to-air on Sky Open.
Live match coverage on Sky Sport 1 will feature world feed commentary led by Aotearoa’s own Rikki Swannell. All Black Ferns’ matches will also be broadcast with Te Reo Māori commentary from ‘the godfather’ of reo Māori sports broadcasting, Hemana Waaka and broadcaster Maiau Houltham.
Free-to-air channel Sky Open will show a selection of key matches live-to-delayed1 or delayed. This will include the opening match, all Black Ferns pool games, two quarter-finals, both semi-finals, and the final (full schedule below).
Sky will provide live studio wraparound coverage for every Black Ferns match, including pre, half-time, and post-match analysis. With matches playing out overnight, full replays and highlights packages will be available immediately after each match concludes for fans to catch up over breakfast. Highlights will also play the day after match days at 4:30pm on Sky Open.
Sky will also broadcast a Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 preview show each Thursday during the competition, building anticipation for upcoming fixtures, while Crowd Goes Wild, The Breakdown and Aotearoa Rugby Pod will also include features covering the competition, live interviews, and stories on the ground.
Studio wraparound coverage will be led by Kirstie Stanway, in her third Rugby World Cup for Sky. She’ll be joined by a rotating panel including former Black Fern Honey Hireme-Smiler, former Manu Sima lock Taylah Johnson, three-time RWC champion and all-time Black Ferns point-scorer Kendra Cocksedge, former Black Ferns half back and RWC champion, Kristina Sue and former Black Ferns captain and RWC champion Les Elder, with further talent to be confirmed in the coming days.
Taylor Curtis will be on location in England, bringing Kiwi audiences closer to the action with interviews and behind-the-scenes coverage. Fans can also follow daily highlights and matchday storytelling across Sky’s social media channels, including in-stadium updates from Black Ferns superfans, Louis and Ashleigh Davis.
Gary Burchett, Head of Sport Content at Sky says, “The Women’s Rugby World Cup is a celebration of the game at its most powerful – and the Black Ferns, six-time world champions, are its most dominant and well-loved team.
We’re proud to bring Aotearoa NZ comprehensive coverage of every match, moment and milestone, across all Sky platforms. Whether it’s live or on demand, in English or te reo Māori, our commitment is to showcase these athletes with the depth, respect and energy they deserve.”
Visit https://www.sky.co.nz/
