sport

Bristol Hosts 2026 Women's World Cup, Secures Major Rugby Finals

Recent results for Bristol Bears and a major fixture confirmation place Ashton Gate at the centre of upcoming women's rugby and football events.

By Bristol Sport Desk · Published 19 July 2026

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Bristol Bears reached the Premiership Rugby semi-finals after a 12-try victory over Harlequins at Ashton Gate before losing 33-94 to Northampton in the semi-final.

Bristol Bears Rugby Developments

The club also secured contract extensions for Scotland centre Meryl Smith and back-row forward Evie Gallagher to stay with the Premiership Women's Rugby side. These moves come after the men's team recorded both a high-scoring win and a heavy defeat in the same knockout stage.

Football Injury and Season Impact

Bristol City FC winger Gabriel Ibitoye will miss the remainder of the 2025/26 season after suffering a hamstring injury that is expected to sideline him for three to four months. The absence affects planning for the club heading into the next campaign.

Confirmed 2026 Final at Ashton Gate

The 2026 Women's League Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester United will take place at Bristol City's Ashton Gate Stadium on Mother's Day. This marks a significant domestic event hosted in the city.

ICC Women's World Cup and 2035 Bid

Eight matches of the ICC Women's World Cup are scheduled to be played in Bristol. The city is also part of the joint bid by the UK's four Home Nations to host the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2035. These commitments build on existing use of Ashton Gate for high-profile fixtures.

Local venues such as Ashton Gate continue to feature in national and international calendars. The combination of recent semi-final action, contract news and confirmed future events provides a clear picture of Bristol's immediate and longer-term sports hosting role. Further details on ticketing and scheduling for the 2026 final are expected from the relevant governing bodies in due course.

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