It was incredible to see the Lionesses’ excellent win at the Women’s Euros 2025.
This was an historic unprecedented consecutive win, and a brilliant victory for England on the world stage- the first England team to win a competition abroad.
The whole country will offer their congratulations to Sarina Wiegman, and every member of the team that has seen the country retain its European crown.
As the Sports Minister, I was honoured to be able to attend the Euros in Switzerland to cheer on the team alongside fans who had travelled to show their support.
And it was brilliant to welcome the Lionesses back to the UK alongside Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner at a reception at 10 Downing Street, and around 65,000 turned out to cheer them on at their homecoming parade along the Mall.
The team have not just won the tournament; they have inspired the nation with their combination of talent and ‘never-say-die’ attitude.
This victory shows that when we back women’s sport, incredible things happen.
That is why I am proud that this Government is laying the foundations for a decade of change by removing barriers to participation and supporting the next generation of players.
Already, we have:
- Reformed school sport policy to give girls the same chances as boys in school sport;
- Started working with Home Nations FAs and devolved governments to develop a bid for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2035 to bring this brilliant event to the UK;
- Committed £900 million for grassroots facilities and hosting elite-level events, so that when women and girls see their sporting heroes compete, they too will have access to better facilities across the country.
We have also announced plans that are expected to more than double the share of primetime slots dedicated to women and girls’ teams at Government-funded facilities across England over the next five years, with a clear long-term target of reaching equal access as demand grows.
Beyond this week’s celebrations and legacy plans, the Government is seeking to make the next ten years a decade of change, so that by 2035 the UK is showcased as a leader in all aspects of women’s and girls’ sport, from the field of play to the boardroom.
This will see support for professional women’s sport and its workforce, increasing visibility of women’s sport in the media, and investment in major events in women’s sport.
The Government will continue to work with the Lionesses and the FA to maximise the impact of all of these plans.
These are just some of the steps that this Government is taking. The Lionesses have been powerful voices calling for better access to sport for girls, and we want them to know that their call is being heard by this Labour Government.
The Lionesses have inspired a generation and achieved an incredible victory, captivating the nation throughout the competition once again.
Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to secure this very proud moment for our nation.