London hailed as global capital of women’s sport

A look back at 2025 for women’s sport in London.

Transcript

00:00Hello, yes, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said that almost 1.4 million people watched women's sport in the capital this year,

00:10highlighting the city's growing status as a global hub for major sporting events.

00:18London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the capital had emphatically delivered as a global capital for women's sport,

00:25pointing to a series of record-breaking tournaments held across the city.

00:32He noted that more than 81,000 fans attended the Women's Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham,

00:40the highest ever attendance for a Women's Rugby Union match,

00:45surpassing the previous record of 58,000 spectators at the same venue in 2023 during the Six Nations.

00:55The Mayor also pointed to the return of women's tennis to the Queen's Club in West Kensington,

01:02where 62,000 people attended the championships in June,

01:06the first time in more than 50 years that women had competed at the iconic venue.

01:12This was followed by the record crowds at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships,

01:19where half a million visitors passed through the gates over the fortnight,

01:23viewing both men and women's tennis as well.

01:26We spoke earlier about that Rugby World Cup that drew record crowds.

01:30Well, one rugby player in particular created such stardom,

01:35she actually has a Barbie doll after her.

01:37Let's take a look.

01:39Yeah, the amount of detail that's gone into the doll,

01:41from the hair to the piercings to the custom boots that I played the latter stages of the World Cup,

01:48it's got everything.

01:50And, yeah, when I saw it for the first time, I was kind of taken back,

01:53and I feel like I need to look after it, because it's like a little voodoo doll that I don't want anything to happen to it.

01:59Yeah, no, it's something that, you know, you can't ever imagine happening.

02:03And, yeah, to be in a position where I've got my very own Barbie doll,

02:08it is definitely a pinch me moment.

02:10And for how well it's come out as well, I'm just super proud.

02:14But also, yeah, completely taken back.

02:16I'm even in the position saying that I have my own Barbie doll.

02:19Probably going to be on a shelf somewhere.

02:21Either that or it'll be next to my bedside table.

02:24Wherever I go, the doll follows me.

02:27But I definitely want to look after it.

02:28And, yeah, just making sure that I remember these moments,

02:32because not everyone's in that position.

02:35But I'm very grateful and honoured to be in that position.

02:38I think this shows where women's rugby has gone.

02:42The visibility has stepped up, you know, so far that, you know,

02:48as long as we keep our authentic self,

02:50and I always try to make sure that I'm doing that,

02:54then I want people to be able to recognise me,

02:56so I can share the story and get more fun at the stance games.