England’s women’s rugby team will return to Sunderland for a Six Nations match next year, marking their first home game held outside a traditional rugby venue. The Red Roses are scheduled to play Scotland at the Stadium of Light on April 17, with tickets priced from £15 for adults and £10 for juniors.

This fixture is part of the 2026 Women’s Six Nations Championship. England’s other home matches include a game against France at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on May 15 and a match versus Italy at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton. Their opening Six Nations game against Wales will take place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on April 10.

The Red Roses made a significant impact in the North East during the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, opening the tournament at the Stadium of Light with a 69-7 victory over the United States in front of 42,723 spectators. Until now, Ashton Gate in Bristol, with a capacity crowd of 26,247 at this year’s game against Wales, served as England’s largest regular home venue outside Twickenham.

Since 2023, England’s women’s team has maintained a presence at Twickenham for one match each Six Nations season, often against France or Ireland, with the France game typically serving as the grand-slam decider. Beyond the Six Nations, the team has hosted international fixtures at Twickenham, including two matches against New Zealand in September, most recently recording a 26-19 win last weekend, and the World Cup final against Canada last year.

Tom Burwell, chief executive of Sunderland AFC, described hosting the Red Roses again as a significant opportunity. He noted the city’s strong demand for major international sporting events and expressed enthusiasm about the Stadium of Light once more showcasing top-level women’s rugby.

The decision to stage a Six Nations match in Sunderland continues a trend of expanding the geographical footprint of women’s rugby in England, offering fans across the country increased access to international fixtures in diverse venues.