Final preparations are underway for the Lionesses’ homecoming victory parade in London – with thousands expected to turn out to cheer on England’s heroes.
The two-times-running European champions will board an open-top bus and cruise down The Mall at 12.10pm today before a ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace.
The Football Association has told fans to plan their visit ‘carefully’ amid expectations of a huge turnout after the win against Spain in Sunday’s nail-biting Euro 2025 final, which came down to the narrowest of margins in a thrilling penalty shootout.
The ceremony at the end of the Mall will be hosted by former England star Alex Scott against the backdrop of the golden memorial and Royal residence – a fitting setting for the sweetest of England victories.
A stage was being put up by workers early this morning ahead of the event, while St George’s flags were hoisted onto the flagpoles that line the boulevard.
Some fans had clearly heeded the warning to prepare well for the party – with some fans already turning out as early as 12.30am today.
‘We got here about 12.30am, I’m genuinely so excited, I can’t hold it in,’ one giggling fan told Good Morning Britain.
Another added: ‘I was so excited I couldn’t sleep, so I got the train at 3am. They played brilliantly, and with tenacity. Their resilience was amazing – they never lost hope and nor did the rest of England either.’
Preparations are underway at the Mall for the Lionesses’ open-top bus victory parade later today
The team flew back to the UK yesterday after claiming victory in the 2025 European Championships over Spain
A stage is being set up at the end of The Mall, in front of the Queen Victoria Memorial and Buckingham Palace, for an event to be hosted by ex-England star Alex Scott
The party preparations come after the team flew back from Basel, Switzerland yesterday afternoon – after partying into the night following their victory.
After stopping by Downing Street for a reception with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner – with the PM on business with Trump in Scotland – the team swapped their formal clothes for gladrags and headed into Soho for a celebratory dinner.
Sunday’s win on penalties came after a nail-biting 120 minutes that saw England equalise in the second half but fail to keep the momentum up before the final whistle – with neither team pulling ahead in extra time.
The team triumphed 3-1 at the bitter end, with Chloe Kelly converting the decisive spot-kick against Cata Coll.
It became the most-watched TV moment of the year and the second most-watched women’s football match in British broadcasting history, peaking at more than 16 million people tuning in at once.
Viewing figures were only narrowly behind the last European final against Germany in 2022, when over 17 million watched England storm to a 2-1 victory.
And the win was sweet revenge for the 2023 World Cup final, which saw Spain win 1-0 after picking up an early lead and parrying England’s agonised comeback attempts.
The Lionesses partied until 4am after bringing the trophy home to their hotel – before flying to London Southend Airport yesterday, greeted by hundreds of fans.
The Embraer jet bearing the stylised word ‘HOME’ – the ‘H’ written as two ‘I’s to recognise the team’s second European title on the trot – was the most tracked in the world on FlightRadar for a time.
The players were then congratulated by Ms Rayner during a special reception at Downing Street on Monday, with the windows draped in St George’s flags and celebratory bunting hung in the street.
St George’s flags are hoisted onto flagpoles on The Mall ahead of the open-top bus parade at lunchtime
The Lionesses met Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner during a special reception at Downing Street, and took part in a video call with the PM from Scotland
Manager Sabrina Wiegman (left, with defender Leah Williamson and the Euro 2025 trophy) called for more investment in women’s football
She told the team yesterday: ‘You’ve made us all so so proud. Role models like you send such a powerful message, the Lionesses are a shining example of talent and excitement for women’s football.’
Some of the team also took part in a surprise video call from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who was unable to attend in person due to talks with US President Donald Trump in Scotland.
Mr Starmer told them: ‘You must’ve felt the eyes and ears of the whole country on you last night.’
England manager Sabrina Wiegman took the opportunity to call for more investment in women’s football at the event – in order to train up the Lionesses of tomorrow.
She said: ‘We need some more investment. We’re not there yet. In England we’re up there but England needs to stay the trailblazer, it needs to be the big example.
‘The players first but also the FA, the clubs, the Government, the country, the fans – let’s keep being the trailblazers.’
The Government would announce a new package of measures to boost access to grassroots football hours later – with the establishment of a Women’s Sport Taskforce to boost girls’ participation in sport at all levels.
Flagship sites and pitches will be dedicated to the Lionesses and more time slots will be created for women’s and girls’ teams at grassroots pitches across the country.
It comes in the run up to the 2035 World Cup, which is hosted by all four home nations of the UK.
As well as the Prime Minister, the King also congratulated the European champions – as did the Prince of Wales and his daughter Princess Charlotte, who signed off on her first ever official Royal message in congratulations.
The King said on X: ‘You have shown through your example over past weeks that there are no setbacks so tough that defeat cannot be transformed into victory, even as the final whistle looms. Well done, Lionesses.’
Prince William and Princess Charlotte added in their own post: ‘What a game! Lionesses, you are the champions of Europe and we couldn’t be prouder of the whole team. Enjoy this moment England. W & Charlotte.’
The Prince of Wales, who is patron of the FA, was in the stands in Basel on Sunday alongside his daughter and presented the Lionesses with their victory medals.
But the royal celebrations may yet continue. The PA news agency has reported that royal aides are considering plans for a reception in the autumn at either Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle.
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