Loughborough Lightning’s PWR fixtures confirmed for 2025/26

Loughborough Lightning will kick-off the new Premiership Women’s Rugby season by featuring in the league’s 2025/26 curtain raiser against Harlequins.

The Twickenham Stoop showdown on Friday 24 October (kick-off: 7.30pm) is being screened live on BBC iPlayer, as part of a new agreement that will see all 75 PWR fixtures broadcast live across BBC, TNT Sports, and the PWR’s YouTube this term.

Lightning’s next three fixtures – which are all included in a Lightning 2025/26 Season Ticket with prices starting from £65* adult and £30 juniors and are available by clicking HERE – are all at home at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

Firstly, Sale Sharks visit on Sunday 2 November (kick-off: 1pm), followed by a showdown with Exeter Chiefs on Sunday 9 November (kick-off: 2.30pm). 

Three home games in 27 days ends on a high with the eagerly-anticipated East Midlands Derby with Leicester Tigers on Saturday 29 November (kick-off: 3pm).

PWR today released the dates and kick-off times for the first eight rounds of the new season, which include a Round 6 trip to to StoneX Stadium on Sunday 7 December (kick-off: 5.05pm) – where the African Violets will be hoping to secure a first-ever away win over Saracens, having collected a maiden home success over the three-time champions of England in the 2024/25 season. The match will be Loughborough’s second game screened live by the BBC.

A second consecutive away trip follows as Lightning return to the venue of their most memorable away victory last term, Shaftesbury Park, to take on Bristol Bears on Sunday 14 December (kick-off: 1pm).

Lightning conclude their 2025 playing schedule four days before Christmas back at cinch Stadium, by taking on Trailfinders Women on Sunday 21 December (kick-off: 2pm). The last time the two sides met, Red Roses star Helena Rowland landed a last-minute dropgoal to seal a dramatic 36-34 win back in February 2025.

A month off over Christmas and January will then be followed by another set of eight rounds, split only by a reserve week in the middle. This will be followed by a break during the Guinness Women’s Six Nations in April and May.

Lightning’s regular season will conclude with the second East Midlands Derby, away at Leicester Tigers on, the weekend of 6 June, 2026 Confirmed fixture dates for Rounds 9-18 will follow later in the season.

Lightning Head Coach Nathan Smith, said: “We’re looking to the upcoming season for what we hope will be the biggest in PWR history, off the back of a home Rugby World Cup.

“It remains a massive privilege for us to play at such an iconic venue, so soon after it is used for six Rugby World Cup games. It really feels like home for us now and the surface is up there with the very best in English rugby.

“On top of that, throughout my time in this role, I’ve seen the numbers grow on the sidelines and that means a tremendous amount to me and the girls. We’re looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and plenty of new ones too during the 2025/26 season.”

Genevieve Shore, Executive Chair of PWR said: “The upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup presents PWR with a huge opportunity to raise the awareness of women’s rugby and our incredible athletes. When putting together the fixtures we were conscious of needing to start our season with a bang and keep those new fans engaged. The early weeks of the season are filled with blockbuster matchups and will undoubtedly provide a showcase of elite talent and top-quality rugby.

“The growth of attendances at PWR matches is right at the top of our priority list for this coming season and we’re really hopeful that after a home World Cup, people will head along to our Clubs and experience the excitement of a game in person. The World Cup will have the world's best players competing for the game’s biggest prize; but the PWR has world class players every week. If fans like what they see during the World Cup, then they should definitely stick around for the new PWR season.”

Loughborough Lightning 2025/26 Season Tickets are still available HERE, priced* from just £65 (adult) and £30 juniors.

* Season Ticket prices are subject to a booking fee of £2.50 per Season Ticket, plus £10 admin fee for Direct Debit.