Women's World Cup match 'four years in the making'

Fans have gathered at Ashton Gate Stadium to cheer on England and Scotland

Hosting the Women's Rugby World Cup and putting a city's stadium at the centre of the world stage has been "four years" in the making, organisers have said.

England are playing Scotland in the quarter-finals at Ashton Gate, in Bristol, and the winner will book a spot in the semi-final against France or Ireland on 20 September.

Many thousands are expected to descend on the stadium - the tournament has had record engagement for the BBC.

Lisa Knights, group director of communications at Ashton Gate, said: "I can't believe it's finally here. This has been four years in the planning, from bid to quarter-finals being hosted here this weekend. It's been a long time coming."

She added: "We'll be so proud, particularly to have home nations clash. We're lucky with that."

Lark Atkin-Davies said she was "so excited"

Red Roses player Lark Atkin-Davies, who is a hooker for Bristol Bears Women, said ahead of the game she was "so excited".

"We see it when I play for Bristol Bears... that the crowds are amazing, but the prospect of a sell-out crowd at Ashton Gate is something we're all incredibly excited for.

"Bristol is a city that really gets behind their sport and I know it will be an absolutely incredible atmosphere."

The official Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Fan Zone launched at the Amphitheatre on Saturday

Preparations have included everything from the pitch being made bigger and grass longer, to 100 red roses crocheted by volunteers, and changing the stadium's colours from red to purple and gold.

Jack Langley, deputy head groundsperson at Ashton Gate, said: "Pressure is the name of the game in this industry.

"Obviously we're on TV most weekends anyway. It's just another weekend for us.

"It's a pleasure having our work on the world stage, but I feel we're one of the best in the world anyway."

Elsewhere, Bristol's harbourside Amphitheatre will be transformed into a fanzone.

"We'll have a big screen showing the quarter and semi-finals, a stage with live music, lots of sport activities," said Sabrina Shutter, project manager at Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District.

"A place of celebration and create a real, special Bristol welcome."

Avon and Somerset Police's Assistant Chief Constable said there would be more police officers in and around Ashton Gate

Avon and Somerset Police said officers and staff have been planning since January.

The force has set up an all-female leadership team across its bronze, silver, and gold commands.

Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall is the gold commander for the event and set the strategy for the police operation.

She said: "We're working together to co-ordinate this huge event, which is going to be on the global stage.

"From a policing perspective, it's a crowded place, there's many people together. It's our role to make sure this event is safe for them.

"What you'll see is police officers in fanzones, and extra police officers in and around the event itself.

"The event itself is putting policing on a global stage, everybody is watching around the world."