the growth in popularity among women attracted women in both developed and emerging nations, being the fastest growing sport in the world. the participation rates in both rugby sevens and rugby unions (with 15 players) has close to 500,000 new players joining every year globally. according to world rugby, women's rugby is growing faster (if not as fast) as men's rugby and it is estimated that by 2026 40% of the total number of rugby players will be female. the game remains an amateur, minority sport—but a fast-growing one played in over 80 countries worldwide. cost and player numbers mean that, in many of these nations, sevens tends to dominate, but 15-a-side championships have now been established in all regions.