Change is afoot. Can you feel it? The Lionesses’ historic Euro 2022 victory has lifted the lid on women’s sport — and it’s about time too.
As the credits rolled on the BBC coverage of the Euro final at Wembley, Gabby Logan offered a stark, albeit buoyant, prediction: “The Lionesses have brought football home; now it’s down to the rest of us to make sure it stays here. You think it’s all over? It’s only just begun.”
And it certainly seems so. As Chloe Kelly scored the winning goal during extra time against Germany, roars of jubilation erupted up and down the country, from men, women, children and pensioners.
The game, played in front of 87,000 supporters at Wembley Stadium and a record 17.4 million TV viewers elsewhere, has marked a sea change in attitudes towards women’s football and sport in general, a sentiment echoed by Lionesses captain Leah Williamson in her post-match interview. “We talk and we talk and we talk and we’ve finally done it. The kids are alright. It’s the proudest moment of my life until the day I have kids so I’m going to lap it up,” she said, blinking back tears.
“I was told to make every second count because I’ll be living it over and over, and I did that today. The legacy of this tournament is the change in society. We’ve brought people together and got them to games. This is the start of the journey.”
In the aftermath of this week’s celebrations in Trafalgar Square commentators like Ian Wright and Alex Scott have already come out to demand further investment in women’s football. Wright is also a proponent for football to be available to girls at school, saying after the England versus Sweden match, that: “If girls are not allowed to play football in their PE, just like the boys can, what are we doing?” Wright is correct in his concern. According to the Football Association, only 63 percent of schools offer football as an option to girls and only 44 per cent at secondary level.
But since Sunday’s historic win, media coverage and public support of the women’s national team has been unprecedented and messages of congratulations have continued to pour in from celebrities and royalty. The Queen herself released a statement, saying: “My warmest congratulations, and those of my family, got to you all on winning the European Women’s Football Championships. It is a significant achievement for the entire team, including your support staff.
“The Championships and your performance in them have rightly won praise. However, your success goes far beyond the trophy you have so deservedly earned. You have all set an example that will be an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations. It is my hope that you will be as proud of the impact you have had on your sport as you are of the result today. ELIZABETH R.”
So what will be the Lionesses’ legacy? We’ve put together a guide on how to support and watch women’s football — plus how to get involved yourself.
How to watch the Lionesses?
You can watch the Lionesses play for their respective clubs during the Women’s Super League, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and the BBC from September. The FA announced in March it had signed a “landmark” £8m deal with Sky Sports and the BBC for the broadcast rights to the Women’s Super League, the biggest broadcast deal of any professional women’s football league in the world.
The tournament kicks off on Saturday, September 10 at 12.30pm, with Tottenham taking on Ella Toone and Allessia Russo’s team Manchester United. Meanwhile, reigning WSL champions — and the team of Millie Bright and Jess Carter — Chelsea, is due to play West Ham at 12.30pm on Sunday September 11. Also on that Sunday, Chloe Kelly, Keira Walsh, Alex Greenwood, Ellen White, Lauren Hemp, Demi Stokes and goal keeper Ellie Roebuck will all be making appearances playing for Manchester City against Arsenal, which counts Lionesses captain Leah Williamson, Beth Meade, Nikita Parris and Lotte Wubben-Moy as teammates.
How to get tickets to the WSL?
After Sunday’s sold-out final, it might be harder than ever before to get hold of WSL tickets, so get in there quickly! Tickets for individual matches are available on the official club websites. For newly converted women’s football aficionados, the most expensive season ticket in the league is a paltry £80, less than some match day tickets in the men’s Premier League.
Since the Euros, many of the matches have had their stadiums upgraded. Chelsea, who usually play at Kingsmeadow in Kingston-upon-Thames, will now play at Stamford Bridge. The Tottenham Hotspur stadium is the new venue for Spurs’ game against Manchester United, while Liverpool will play against Everton at Anfield.
Lionesses v USA
Since the Euro final, there has been unprecedented demand for tickets to watch England play USA at Wembley in October. Demand caused the FA site to crash and the wait time for a ticket to the international friendly is still over an hour. The event will mark the 50th anniversary of the first official England women’s fixture on November 18, 1972 and the FA will invite every living Lioness to the stadium as a way of paying tribute to the women who paved the way for women’s football in this country.
How to watch on TV?
The 2022-23 Barclays Women’s Super League will be shown across Sky Sports and the BBC. Matches not broadcast on TV will be available on The FA Player, which is available to viewers anywhere in the world.
Grassroots teams to join?
Women and girls previously excluded from football games have been inspired to pursue the sport themselves. In the last five years a plethora of women’s teams have popped up across london — here are some great adult teams to join depending on your area.
North London
East London
South London
West London and Central London
Find more information on the best grassroots teams for women in London here.
