3 Women’s Teams contest for Asia’s Direct Ticket to Rugby World Cup 2025 in Hong Kong SAR

With Less than 500 days to the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, the 13th edition of the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship 2024 will kick off in Hong Kong SAR on May 22nd, with Japan (11th Ranked)* , Hong Kong China (18th Ranked), and Kazakhstan (19th Ranked ) competing for the title of Champions of Asia. (*World Rugby ranking)

As an added incentive, the winner will get a direct spot in the Rugby World Cup 2025 and a spot in WXV2. The runner-up qualifies to play in the WXV3 and keep their dream of qualifying for the World Rugby Cup alive.

The WXV will provide a pathway to the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, with the top five non-qualified teams at the end of WXV 2024 earning qualification for the tournament.

The first match of ARWC will be on May 22nd featuring hosts Hong Kong China (ranked 15th) taking on reigning Champions Japan at the Kings Park Stadium.

The Second match on the 27th of May will see Japan take on Kazakhstan (ranked 19th) at the Kings Park Stadium.

The Final match of the championship on the 1st of May will be an exciting double-header at the Hong Kong Football Club with Hong Kong China taking on Kazakhstan at 18:30 the Asia Rugby Men’s Championship launched on the same day with Hong Kong China Men taking on newly promoted UAE.

The Asia Rugby Women’s Championship began in 2006 with the first tournament hosted in Kunming, China, with hosts China winning the inaugural tournament. Since then, Japan and Kazakhstan have won five times each, and China and Hong Kong China have won once each.

Asia Rugby will also host an Asia Rugby Women’s Division 1 Championship later this year with Rugby India as hosts.

Asia Rugby Women’s Championship 2024

22nd May
Game 1 Hong Kong China v Japan
KO 18:30* Kings Park Stadium

27th May
Game 2: Japan v Kazakhstan
KO 19:00* Kings Park Stadium

1st June
Game 3: Hong Kong China v Kazakhstan
KO 18:30* Hong Kong Football Club

*Local time (+8 GMT)

“Asia Rugby is thrilled to witness the culmination of talent and dedication as three formidable teams compete for the title of Champions of Asia in the upcoming Asia Rugby Women’s Championship. With the added incentive of a direct spot in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and WXV 2 & 3 qualification, the stakes are higher than ever. We look forward to an electrifying tournament showcasing the best of women’s rugby in the region.”- Qais Al Dhalai, President of Asia Rugby.

Fans can catch all the action of the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship on Asia Rugby’s Facebook page and YouTube channel, with highlights also available on the Asia Rugby Instagram page.