The streets are set to be transformed into one giant game of hide and seek – with a rugby twist!
To mark the countdown to Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, York BID is inviting families, fans and first-time players to take part in the York Rugby Ball Hunt on Thursday 14 August – a one-day event that promises fun, surprises and a city full of hidden treasures.
From 11am, 100 rugby balls will be hidden across York’s bustling city centre, including 10 replica balls representing each of the teams playing in York. Find a ball, and it’s yours to keep.
Alongside the hunt, there will be a full day celebration taking place on Parliament Street – with free face painting, special guests, and live demos from local rugby clubs.
Every ball will feature a QR code that links to match schedules and key info about York’s important part in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. Anyone who finds a ball and brings it to Parliament Street hub can enter a prize draw to win official tickets to one of the York matches.
Organised by York BID and funded by the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, the event is designed to raise awareness, build excitement, and get local families engaged with this once-in-a-generation sporting moment in York.
Rachel Bean, project manager at York BID, said: “We wanted to bring the buzz of the Women’s Rugby World Cup right into the heart of York – and what better way than a giant, citywide rugby ball hunt? It’s fun, it’s free, and it’s all about getting families feeling part of something special and hopefully playing rugby at home!”
Sarah Massey, managing director of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, said: “York is one of our fantastic host locations, and this event perfectly showcases how York is engaging the community in creative ways.
“The Rugby Ball Hunt embodies what the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 is all about – making the game visible, exciting, and open to everyone.”
The York Rugby Ball Hunt is free to take part in, open to all, and guaranteed to bring a touch of competition to the city centre – all in celebration of the biggest Women’s Rugby World Cup in history.
To find out more – and perhaps a few clues – visit the York Bid’s Instagram.