Published: 29 July ‘2025 | The English Chronicle Online
Central London is set to become a sea of flags, cheers, and pride as the Lionesses take to the streets today in a grand open-top bus parade to celebrate their triumphant defence of the Women’s European Championship title. The jubilant occasion, marking England’s continued dominance in the women’s game, promises to be a moment of national pride, unity, and celebration.
The festivities are expected to draw tens of thousands of fans who will line the streets to catch a glimpse of stars like Leah Williamson, Chloe Kelly, and the rest of Sarina Wiegman’s victorious squad. The open-top bus will begin its journey down The Mall at 12:10 p.m., leading to a special celebration ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial, directly in front of Buckingham Palace.
The Football Association (FA) has announced that the ceremony is scheduled to begin at approximately 12:30 p.m. and conclude around 1 p.m. A musical flourish will accompany the celebrations, with performances from the Royal Marines Portsmouth Band and the Central Band of the Royal Air Force. Highlights from the tournament will be broadcast on large screens positioned near the palace, setting the stage for the final moment when the Lionesses emerge, lift their hard-earned trophy, and share their glory with an adoring public.
Former England player and beloved football pundit Alex Scott will host the event, bringing her experience and passion to the stage as she guides the day’s proceedings. Fans will be able to attend the parade and the ceremony free of charge, though the FA has urged people to plan their journeys carefully and anticipate significant crowds throughout central London.
For those unable to attend in person, live coverage will be broadcast across multiple platforms. Sky News will begin their live stream at 10 a.m., while the BBC, ITV, and various social media channels will provide continuous updates, ensuring supporters around the country and beyond can be part of the celebrations.
The Lionesses returned to British soil on Monday from Basel, Switzerland, and were greeted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock at a special reception in Downing Street. The celebration at the heart of government underscored just how deeply the team’s success has resonated across all levels of British society.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, reflecting on the significance of the win, remarked that the team had once again “captured the hearts of the nation” and inspired a new generation of athletes and supporters. Although there were past suggestions of a bank holiday if the Lionesses brought the trophy home, government sources have indicated that such a move is unlikely due to economic concerns.
Beyond the capital, the influence of the team’s success is already visible. At Bearsted Football Club in Maidstone, Kent—where striker Alessia Russo began her football journey—a mural now stands in her honour. The club’s chairman, Jamie Houston, highlighted how the Lionesses have dramatically shifted perceptions and opportunities for women in the sport. Just five years ago, the club had no girls’ teams. Today, it boasts five.
Former England player Lynda Hale, who represented her country in the first ever international women’s match in 1972, also shared her reflections. Speaking to Sky News, she noted the extraordinary growth of the women’s game, from a time when spectators were few to today’s monumental public interest. Watching the modern-day Lionesses dominate the international stage, she said, fills her with pride and hope for the future of women’s football.
Her message to the current squad was simple yet poignant: “Make as many memories as you can and take everything in your stride.”
As the open-top bus moves through the heart of London and the echoes of celebration fill the air, today’s parade will not only honour a remarkable sporting achievement—it will mark another milestone in a cultural shift that has redefined the landscape of British sport, and shown a generation of young women that the sky truly is the limit.
