Chloe Kelly’s late goal – and iconic celebration – will be remembered by fans for years to come. But beyond the trophy, the success of the national team has benefited far more people
TL;DR
Looking Back On The Impact of the Lionesses Euro 2022 Win on Women’s Football
- England won the 2022 Euro title at home, ending 56 years without silverware
- The success of the Lionesses led to a surge in growth in the women’s game in England
- The Lionesses head to Switzerland for the 2025 Women’s Euros, where they’ll attempt to win for a second time
- A second Euro win for the Lionesses will boost the women’s game even further in England
A Historic Moment That Transformed Women’s Football
For any England football fan, the Lionesses‘ Euro 2022 victory remains a defining moment. The late winning goal from Chloe Kelly at Wembley Stadium ended 56 years without silverware for England. It also inspired an entire generation of girls to start playing – and an entire generation of women, much like myself, to return to the sport.
Simply, its influence extended far beyond a trophy lift. So I thought it’d be fun to look back on all the wonderful things the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 victory really achieved. The facts and figures that have helped the WSL surge in growth to become one of the most dominant women’s leagues out there – the league that’s attracting top talent from all over the world.
Record-Breaking Attendance and Viewership
🏟 Highest-Ever Euros Attendance: The 87,192 spectators at Wembley set a new record for a UEFA European Championship final, for both men and women.
📺 Unprecedented TV Viewership: The final was watched by 17.4 million people on BBC One in the UK, making it the most-watched women’s football match in British history. Another 5.9 million streamed the game via BBC iPlayer.
🌐 Global Reach: An estimated 50 million viewers worldwide tuned in.
Surge in Women’s Super League (WSL) Popularity
👥 Explosive Growth in Attendance: More than 680,000 fans attended WSL matches in the 2022/23 season, representing a massive 173% increase from the previous year. Since then, attendance has continued to rise.
📈 Higher Media Coverage: The league received unprecedented attention from broadcasters and media outlets, leading to more dedicated WSL programming and match analysis.
💼 Major Sponsorship Deals: Brands increasingly invested in women’s football, with Barclays extending its multi-million-pound partnership with the WSL, and new commercial deals emerging.
🌟 Attracting World-Class Talent: The heightened visibility made the WSL more appealing to elite players from around the world, further boosting the league’s competitiveness. Naomi Girma was a recent huge signing for Chelsea, and with her arrival, it broke the record spent for a women’s player – over 1 million USD.
Investment in the Women’s Championship and Lower Leagues
📅 Stronger Financial Backing: Increased sponsorship and TV revenue began trickling down to the Women’s Championship, helping some clubs transition towards full-time professional status. Investment in women’s teams is also becoming more common, with Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian buying a stake in Chelsea WFC and British Euromillions winners Patrick and Frances Connolly buying a stake in Championship side Durham Women FC.
📺 Greater Media Coverage: More second-tier games gained TV and streaming visibility, giving clubs more exposure and increasing fan engagement.
Grassroots Football Boom
🏆 More Girls Playing Football: The FA’s “Let Girls Play” initiative gained significant traction, ensuring every girl in England has access to football by 2024.
🤞 The National Lottery continues to back women’s football at the grassroots level, with another Big Football Day event covering the 2025 Women’s Euros. The aim is to help make football more accessible to women and girls over the summer as the Lionesses attempt to retain their title.
📚 Expansion of Youth Academies: More WSL clubs invested in their women’s academies, creating stronger pathways for young female footballers.
Cultural and Societal Impact
💡 Breaking Gender Norms: The Lionesses’ success challenged outdated perceptions that football is a “men’s game,” inspiring more respect and recognition for women’s football. It’s pretty exciting to see both men and women attending the women’s games, with young boys becoming regulars at fixtures too.
🎬 Greater Representation in Media: Women’s football gained more mainstream coverage, helping to elevate its status alongside the men’s game.
More Than Just A Win
The Lionesses’ Euro 2022 win was more than just a victory – it was a pivotal moment that elevated women’s football to new heights. With increased attendance, sponsorships, media attention, and grassroots participation, the impact of their success continues to be felt across every level of the game.
We can only hope that England wins the next one! See you in Switzerland!!