The Government is honouring the England Women’s football team UEFA European Championship 2025 win by increasing football opportunities for girls and women.
Access to Government-funded football pitches across England will be more than doubled to facilitate the increased interest in the sport from girls and women.
The pitches will be available during primetime hours in recognition of the England Women’s team’s swift increase in nation-wide popularity.
The Women’s Euros final was the most watched TV moment of 2025, raking in a peak of 16.2 million television views across BBC One and ITV with a further 4.2 million streams on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will be honouring the Lionesses popularity and their second European Championship by dedicating flagship football facilities to the team as well as expanding access to existing pitches.
The Government hopes that highlighting the women’s team’s journey from grassroots games to international success will inspire future footballers and help foster the “champions of tomorrow”.
Whilst celebrations are ongoing, the Government has not awarded the event a bank holiday despite Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously backing the idea when the Lionesses won the Euros in 2022.
Starmer backed the calls, proposing a “proper day of celebration” for the major league win.
When England reached the World Cup final in 2023, he repeated the sentiment on X saying “there should be a celebratory bank holiday if the Lionesses bring it home”.
With the 2025 Euros win, Starmer failed to meet the champions at Downing Street.
Instead, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner welcomed the winners with a garden party whilst Starmer met with US President Donald Trump.
The Government’s financial support for the expansion women’s football will be part of its £400 million investment in grassroot facilities.
The funding, announced in June 2025, is part of the Government’s aim to increase high quality sporting and fitness opportunities for young people in the UK.
A variety of sports will be provided with funding- the amount dedicated to women’s football is currently unknown.
Included in the football investment is a new grants scheme delivered by the Football Foundation in partnership with the Premier League and the Football Association. The grant will focus on creating welcoming, safe and accessible facilities at the grassroots level.
The Government hopes that within the next ten years, the plan will help the UK be seen as a leader in promoting women’s and girls’ sport.
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, said: “Today we’re taking decisive action to ensure that the incredible success of the Lionesses creates a lasting legacy for women and girls in sport.
“This isn’t just about celebrating today’s achievements – it’s about building the foundations through our Plan for Change by removing barriers to participation.
“From ensuring every girl has equal access to sport in schools through our new partnership model, to creating facilities where women and girls can thrive, we’re investing in the champions of tomorrow.”
Featured image via @ChloeKelly on Instagram
