World Rugby and New Zealand Rugby have announced a revamped match schedule for the women's tournament after it was moved from 2021 to 2022 due to COVID-19 concerns.

With the event now scheduled to run from October 8 to November 12 next year, organisers believe it will set new attendance and fan-engagement records.

"The match schedule will deliver more for fans than ever before with all matches taking place across bumper weekends of action, resulting in no overlapping of matches and maximising opportunities to attend the first event to be hosted in Oceania," a statement from World Rugby read.

"The tantalising match schedule has also been optimised for broadcast audiences worldwide, meaning fans will not miss a moment from a feast of weekend action."

All the opening-day matches will be held at Eden Park in Auckland with South Africa and France clashing in the tournament opener before England tackle debutants Fiji and then New Zealand face Australia.

The following day's action will be hosted at Northlands Events Centre in Whangārei where the United States will take on a European qualifier, Canada will face an Asia qualifier and Wales will go up against the winner of the final qualification tournament.

The pool stages are set to take place on the weekends of October 8 to 9, 15 to 16 and 22 to 23 at Eden Park and Waitakere Stadium in Auckland and the Northlands Events Centre.

New Zealand, Australia, Wales and the final qualifier feature in Pool A, while Pool B comprises of qualifiers from Europe and Asia as well as Canada and the US.

England, France, South Africa and Fiji make-up Pool C.

The top two teams in each pool and the two best third-placed teams will progress to the quarter-finals.

Teams will be seeded one to eight based on the position they finished in their respective pools and most competition points scored.

The first two quarter-finals are planned to be held on October 29 at Northland Events Centre with Waitakere Stadium hosting the remaining two matches a day later.  

With the 12-team format requiring seeding of countries after the pool stages, the quarter final fixtures will be allocated into scheduled slots immediately following match day six.

Should New Zealand progress to the quarter-finals it is confirmed that the Black Ferns and their opponents will close out the first day of quarter-final action at Northlands Events Centre.

The 44,000-capacity Eden Park is due to host the semi-finals on November 5 and the bronze final and final on November 12.

"This is the moment when fans in New Zealand and around the world can start to plan their Rugby World Cup 2021, playing in 2022, experience," said Alison Hughes, tournament director for World Rugby.

"We have optimised the extended tournament window to enhance player and fan experience at Rugby World Cup 2021.

"Increased rest periods will further boost performance and welfare, while the programme of matches being played at weekends means that fans will not miss a minute of what promises to be an exceptional tournament."

Michelle Hooper, tournament director for the New Zealand Organising Committee, added: "We have an incredible opening match day at Eden Park on Saturday October 8, including Fiji's first match at a women’s World Cup against former champions England, and an exhilarating trans-Tasman rivalry between old foes, New Zealand and Australia as the final match.

"We can't wait to create an unforgettable moment for women's sport, filling Eden Park and striving to break the world record for women's Rugby World Cup attendance on day one."

For the full match schedule, click here.