World Cup buzz brings 'positives' to South West

Exeter's Sandy Park has hosted more games - seven - than any other venue for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup

Hosting games in the Women's Rugby World Cup has shown the South West is "not just a tourist destination".

Sandy Park - Exeter Chiefs' home stadium - hosts the last of its seven games in the tournament when France play Ireland in the quarter finals on Sunday.

With seven games, Exeter has hosted more matches at the tournament than any other venue and a fan zone in the city centre has also been set up for fans to watch games on a large TV screen, including the final on 27 September.

Rugby fans, business owners and city leaders said the impact the games have had on Exeter had been massive in more ways than one.

Councillor Phil Bialyk, leader of Exeter City Council, said the games had put the South West "on the map".

"It's letting people know throughout the country that we're a little bit more than a tourist destination and we can hold big events," he added.

A fan zone has been set up in Exeter city centre during the tournament with all matches shown on a big screen

Bialyk said: "We want to work with partners to bring events of all shapes and sizes to Exeter so people can enjoy it."

InExeter, the city's business improvement district, said the tournament had brought a "real buzz" to the area and there had been a rise in visitors.

Nicola Wheeler - InExeter's chief executive - said one matchday, there was a reported 15% increase of footfall in the city centre compared to the same day in 2024.

Ms Wheeler added: "Anything at all that really puts Exeter on the world stage is something that we should always get behind and celebrate."

Businesses said footfall in Exeter city centre had risen during the tournament

Hotels and bars in the city said the tournament had brought an increase in customers and had boosted their business.

Mike Collins, general manager at City Gate - a pub and hotel on Iron Bridge, said the venue had been fully booked at points during the world cup with international fans coming to stay for the games.

"It has been fantastic to see the city centre buzzing with fans, which has created an incredible atmosphere to cheer on the teams," he added.

The Turks Head, a city centre pub which also has six hotel rooms, said it had also seen a "real surge" of activity.

General manager Luke Cegliese said: "We have welcomed more guests through our doors to watch the games, especially for the England matches, whilst our rooms are at their highest occupancy rate."

The final game to be hosted at Exeter's Sandy Park is taking place on Sunday

Rugby supporters said the experience of having multiple games and the fan zone in the city had been enjoyable.

Richard Cresswell, chairman of Exeter Chiefs Supporters' Club, said he had attended some of the matches at Sandy Park and met people there who had not been to the stadium before.

Mr Cresswell added: "The world cup has really raised the profile of women's rugby and the event has put a spotlight on Exeter and Sandy Park."

'Spike in engagement'

Along with playing games in the city, teams including Scotland, New Zealand and Italy have used local facilities at Topsham Rugby Club for training during the tournament.

The club said this and the games being held in Exeter had been positive for them.

Sophie Atkinson, from the club's women's team Topsham Tempests, said: "We have noticed a spike in engagement this pre-season with many new players.

"Our club has also been hosting several of the women's teams for training and the impact of this on the club resources, pitch quality and opportunity to interact with players has been amazing."