Bristol is going to be living and breathing RWC 2025, with the south-west rugby haven hosting four huge knockout matches. Given the city’s famous Ashton Gate stadium boasts a capacity of 26,387, there are going to be hordes of excited fans descending on the city, looking to make the very most of their stay.
Thankfully, we have got the very best guide lined up. RWC 2014 winner Amber Reed (pictured above playing for England at Ashton Gate in 2022) spent her entire senior club career at Bristol Bears, racking up nearly 150 appearances.
Now an assistant coach at the club, Reed shared her thoughts ahead of Bristol's huge summer ahead:
Bristol hosting two RWC 2025 quarter-finals and two semi-finals:
It was really exciting being a Bristol girl to play at Ashton Gate and I had the opportunity to play there in an England shirt too, but I never had the chance to play (in front of) a sellout. And to see that hopefully in Bristol (tickets still available) will be really special for me.
It’s bit like being a host at a party, you want people to see the best version of what you have to offer, and I feel like Bristol will do a really good job of showcasing itself to the fans that are traveling from all over the world.
Best things about Bristol:
The thing that is unique about Bristol for me is that it’s not just the passion for sport, it offers so much more. You’ve got the culture of the city, it’s arty and then the sport marries on top of it all.
Pre-match options:
You can walk to Ashton Gate along the river, along Coronation Road and then you are looking at Harbourside and Wapping Wharf. For food you’ve got Seven Lucky Gods (Japanese) and Mokoko for pastries & coffee.
You're looking around Park Street too, there are so many independent shops there, which Bristol is incredible for. There's some entertainment as well around Millennium Square, which is in the same area.
The Fan Zone is going to be set up at the Amphitheatre. An insane vibe there, an old bank, a really incredible building.
And then you’ve got North Street a little closer to Ashton Gate. Bristol Beer Factory or the Tobacco Factory are great places for pre-match drinks.
Post-match plans:
If you're someone who wants to go out to bars, there's some along the river and then if you head up in towards Clifton, you’ve got the Clifton Triangle and good places to go out, a couple of cocktail bars. And you can go back to Park Street for more nightlife.
Then if you want somewhere a bit more sophisticated, you've got the Avon Gorge Hotel. If you're not in Bristol very often it’s definitely iconic to go and sit on their terrace and have a drink overlooking the suspension bridge in the Avon Gorge.
Bristol comes alive at night and if you add sports fans to the mix it’s definitely a place to party for sure.
Where to watch RWC 2025 matches on TV:
There’s going to be a giant screen set up in the fan zone at the Amphitheatre. Or there are a lot of good pubs on Gloucester Road and North Street.
Community rugby clubs to visit:
There’s loads around. North Bristol is a little bit outside town but easy access from the motorway. Really good girls section.
Dings Crusaders would be another one, a little bit closer to the city. It’s where Bristol women play most of their home games.
Must do while in Bristol:
Go and see the Clifton Suspension Bridge and have a wander on the Downs.
Check out the food scene at Wapping Wharf.
And there are some art trails around the city. A few famous Banksy’s that you can find and some other artwork as well. Just have a wander around and check out the art that’s hidden around the city.
It is a big city, but it doesn't feel massive, which kind of allows everything to come together really nicely.
Ilona Maher and Bristol:
What she's been doing across the world is fantastic, not just from a rugby perspective, but from a women's sport perspective. Changing the narrative on body positivity and what being an athlete is. From seeing that on social media to seeing it in real life, was pretty incredible.
But the thing that struck me the most beyond that was just her as a person. I just wanted her to be a good teammate (when Maher arrived to play for Bristol in the PWR in December 2024) and she went above and beyond to be the best she could be.
