England Defends Crown at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 in Switzerland
The 2025 UEFA Women’s Championship, commonly known as Euro 2025, concluded on July 27, 2025, with England retaining their title after defeating Spain in a penalty shootout. This victory marks the first time a nation has successfully defended its European Championship title since Germany in 2013, and the first title decided by a penalty shootout since the inaugural tournament in 1984. The tournament, hosted in Switzerland, saw record-breaking attendance and viewership, being hailed as a resounding success by UEFA and host cities alike.
Tournament Overview
Euro 2025, the 14th edition of the UEFA Women’s Championship, featured 16 teams competing for the title. The tournament was held from July 2nd to July 27th, 2025, across eight venues in eight host cities throughout Switzerland. It marked the third iteration of the expanded 16-team format, returning to its regular four-year cycle after a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Statistics
- Champions: England (2nd title)
- Runners-up: Spain
- Matches Played: 31
- Goals Scored: 106 (average of 3.42 per match)
- Total Attendance: 657,291 (average of 21,203 per match)
- Top Scorer: Esther González (4 goals)
- Best Player: Aitana Bonmatí
- Best Young Player: Michelle Agyemang
Growing Popularity of Women’s Football
The success of Euro 2025 reflects the increasing popularity of women’s football across Europe. Ticket sales for the tournament surpassed those of the 2022 edition before the first match was even played, demonstrating a growing interest in the sport. This growth is part of a broader trend, with the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand also achieving significant success.
Switzerland as Host
Switzerland hosted the tournament for the first time, marking a significant moment for women’s football in the country. Despite not traditionally being a major force in women’s football, Switzerland embraced the event, contributing to its overall success.