A jubilant sea of red and white flooded London’s Mall as 65,000 fans gathered to celebrate the England Lionesses’ triumphant Euro 2025 return. From Green Park to Buckingham Palace, supporters of all ages, backgrounds and football allegiances came to salute their national heroes following their hard-fought second consecutive European title.
Teenagers painted with England flags, young girls in grassroots kits, long-time women’s football enthusiasts, and newcomers alike shared in the euphoric atmosphere. The open-top “champions”-branded bus carried the victorious squad through waves of cheering fans before they took the stage at the Queen Victoria Memorial.
Captain Leah Williamson, visibly emotional, addressed the ecstatic crowd, acknowledging the grit it took to secure their second title. With late equalisers, grueling extra-time spells, and nerve-shredding penalty shootouts, the win was anything but easy. Yet, the squad stood proudly together, holding the trophy aloft as confetti and fireworks lit the skies.
Chants, laughter, and tears filled the air. One young fan’s sign, “Lionesses hear the roar,” perfectly captured the mood. Supporters climbed walls, held ground against security, and sang until their voices gave out determined not to miss a moment of this historic day.
The Lionesses’ impact was not only on the pitch. Since their 2022 win, over 1,500 new women’s teams were formed across England. Participation in women’s football surged, inspiring fans like a 55-year-old who joined a team for the first time after their last victory, and her daughter who remembered struggling to find a girls’ team just years ago.
On stage, the celebration took a wild turn as the team sang with Nigerian superstar Burna Boy and manager Sarina Wiegman danced to fan chants, including the cheeky remix of “Tequila.” Even the usually reserved Wiegman couldn’t hide her joy, praising the team’s talent and tight bond.
As the party wound down to anthems like Sweet Caroline and One More Time, young fans like nine-year-old Eva vowed to chase the same dreams. The message was clear: the Lionesses are more than champions they are trailblazers lighting the way for generations to come.
