The Lionesses, England’s Women’s football team, retained their European Championship title with a nail-biting penalty win against Spain. In the process, they became the first England football team to win a major competition on foreign soil, further cementing their place in the history books.
The exploits of Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly and captain Leah Williams during the tournament in Switzerland culminated with a gripping final which was watched by a combined peak TV audience of 16.2 million across the BBC and ITV – making the victory the most-watched TV moment so far in 2025. That figure constitutes a staggering 59% share of all TV audiences.
Winning the Euros for a second time in succession reinforces the strength of the women’s game in the country and the viewing figures clearly demonstrate the interest that the general public has in the sport. Head Coach Sarina Wiegman is clear in her hopes that the tournament will have a lasting impact, stating “How I have experienced this tournament is that the level went up again, the intensity of the games went through the roof. I hope it will boost the women’s game even more, not only in England but beyond.”
Women’s football still has its detractors, with unfavorable comparisons to the men’s game. But sport is as much about drama as it is about skills, and the Lionesses have delivered the drama and sense of jeopardy in spades, and their legacy is being proved with statistics.
At the end of last year, the Football Association provided a final report into its Inspiring Positive Change (2020-2024) strategy to grow the game, and the results were eye-opening. During the four years the number of women and girls playing football increased by 56%, and the percentage of schools offering girls equal access to football rose to 77%. Coupled with that, the number of female coaches being developed rose by 88% with the number of female referees increasing by an amazing 113%.
There were also initiatives to make the professional game more accessible and inclusive, with 73 Emerging Talent Centres established, which led to significant increases in players from underrepresented groups (127%) and economically deprived areas (112%) being able to access the pathway.
There is no doubt that these sorts of initiatives are already having an impact at the top level, as witnessed at the Euros. Within hours of the victory pundits and commentators were already looking forward to the next World Cup being held in Brazil and speculating on England’s chances of bringing home the big one – with the consensus being that the chances are pretty good!
It is clear that the Lionesses’ legacy is already secured, looking at participation and interest levels across the country. But winning in ‘27 would be the icing on the cake, bringing the World Cup home for the first time since 1966. Two years ago, the team reached the final in Australia, losing 1-0 to Spain, and they will undoubtably go into the tournament as one of the favourites. Manager Sarina Wiegman’s pedigree in major tournaments, having now won the Euros three times and twice being a runner-up at a World Cup (managing the Netherlands and England), is unrivalled in both the men’s and women’s game.
It would be an unwise person to bet against England in 2027, but whatever happens this Lioness team has already confirmed its legacy by making women’s football one of the fastest growing sports in the country, breaking down gender barriers and recruiting new male and female fans across the nation who appreciate successful sports teams.
David Little is a Partner at Bishop & Sewell in our expert Sports Law and Corporate & Commercial teams.
If you would like to contact him, please call on either 07968 027343 or 020 7631 4141 or email: company@bishopandsewell.co.uk.
The above is accurate as at 7 August 2025.
The information above may be subject to change. The content of this note should not be considered legal advice, and each matter should be considered on a case-by-case basis.
