Euro 2025: What to know about the Women’s European Championship
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Women’s Euro 2025 Complete Guide: Stadiums, tickets, hotels & more
UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 kicks off in Switzerland on July 27. More than 700,000 tickets are up for grabs in eight different cities. England and Norway are the favourites to win the tournament. GOAL shows you how to get to the games and how to book a ticket. Click here for more information.
Summer is here, and that means one thing: the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 is on its way. With over 30 matches to be played on the road to the Women’s Euro final at St. Jakob Park on July 27, you can expect exhilarating goals, matches across eight Swiss cities and maybe one or two nail-biting moments.
So, if you’re thinking of heading to the tournament, you’re in for a treat. With a combined capacity of over 175,000, more than 700,000 Women’s Euro tickets will be up for grabs in the eight different cities hosting the games.
Before we even make it to the semis or quarter finals of the Women’s tournament, we’re in for a ride in the group stages. The England Women’s team look to defend their Euro 2022 title, while being chased by the likes of Italy and Norway, who will be on their tails, following closely behind. And, as the hosts, the Swiss women’s team will also be one to watch, with a home advantage at their stadiums across the country.
From Geneva to St. Gallen, we’ve got everything you need to know about the Women’s Euro travel, matches, stadiums, transport, accommodation and even how to secure tickets to the games themselves. Let GOAL show you the complete guide to the Women’s Euro 2025 in Switzerland.
Everything you need to know about UEFA Women’s Euro 2025
“I don’t know many teams at the Euros that are going to compete with that front six,” Steph Houghton on why England have a fighting chance of defending their Euros trophy
England start their Euros campaign against France on 5 July. The Lionesses are the first senior England team to be defending a major tournament trophy since 1970. Former England defender and captain Steph Houghton believes the Lionesses have the fire power to see them through. Izzy Christiansen believes Lauren Hemp will be key for England this summer. England are in a tough group with France, the Netherlands and Wales, whom they are playing in that order. England face France in their opening game on July 5 before taking on the Netherlands in their second match on July 6. The final game of the group is against Wales on July 10. England play Jamaica in their third game on Friday.
England start their Euros campaign on 5 July and they are amongst the favourites to win the trophy this summer.
The Lionesses are the first senior England team to be defending a major tournament trophy since 1970. However, the likes of Spain and Germany are also favourites for the silverware and have been in impressive form.
But former England defender and captain Steph Houghton believes the Lionesses have the fire power to see them through.
England: Can they win the title?
The Lionesses will take on France first in the tournament (Image credit: Getty Images)
Houghton, who retired in 2024, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “You look at the likes of Alessia Russo, Beth Mead, Chloe Kelly, Lauren Hemp, Aggie Beever-Jones.
“You’ve got Lauren James that can play in there.
Lauren James is a key player for England (Image credit: Getty Images)
“I don’t know many teams in the Euros that are going to compete with that front six.
“Obviously on that right hand side with Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly, who do that at Arsenal every week and Lauren Hemp coming back from injury for Man City.
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“You are going to have a fresh Lauren Hemp that is going to be eager to impress. She is at the age where she is going to be in her peak years.
“I do feel as though if we can get them forward players firing with the pace that we have but also the finishing ability, I really do think that the likes of the Netherlands and France who we are playing in the first two group games it’s going to be a real struggle to keep them [England] at bay.”
Lauren Hemp won the Euros in 2022 (Image credit: Getty Images)
England are in a tough group with France, the Netherlands and Wales, whom they are playing in that order.
The sentiments by Houghton were shared by ex-England star Izzy Christiansen, who particularly believes Hemp will be key for England.
She added: “She is the creme de la creme of wingers. I hope she has the tournament where she can reach the levels she can.
“Lauren Hemp would never, ever in a million years describe herself as a leader. But she is one because of the way she plays. She is ridiculous on the dribble.”
Hemp spent around five months on the sidelines with a knee injury during the 2024/25 season but returned for club Man City at the end of the campaign.
She will be a key figure, as will be Lauren James if she is fit enough to take part.
James has been out with injury since April and has not played since. Her next chance to get some playing minutes will be when the Lionesses play Jamaica on Friday.
Who is Josie Henning? All you need to know about the BBC Euro 2025 pundit
The Euro 2025 pundits have been confirmed and former German international Josie Henning is among those named. The ex-defender won the Euros in 2013 and claimed the Olympic gold medal in 2016 with Germany. Henning’s senior career began at Saarbrucken in 2005, she remained at the club until 2008 when she joined Turbine Potsdam. She then moved away from German club football with spells at PSG, Arsenal and Lyon.
Henning, who retired in 2018, not only has extensive football knowledge but she also brings credentials with her.
The ex-defender won the Euros in 2013 and claimed the Olympic gold medal in 2016 with Germany.
Josie Henning: Which clubs did she play for?
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Henning’s senior career began at Saarbrucken in 2005, she remained at the club until 2008 when she joined Turbine Potsdam.
During her time in Potsdam she won two Frauen Bundesliga titles, the German Cup and the Women’s Champions League.
Josie Henning won the Euros in 2013 (Image credit: Getty Images)
In 2011 she moved to Wolfsburg where she picked up more silverware.
Henning won two more Bundesliga titles with Wolfsburg, as well as a German Cup and two Champions League trophies.
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She then moved away from German club football with spells at PSG, Arsenal and Lyon.
With Lyon she added another Champions League title to her honours.
Arsenal was the last club Josie Henning played for (Image credit: Getty Images)
She hung up her boots in 2018 while playing for Arsenal.
On the international stage, Henning made her debut in 2010 and went on to win over 40 caps.
As well as the Euros and Olympic gold, Henning won two Algarve Cups with Germany.
Since retiring, Henning has been a pundit and has a podcast with former German teammate Anja Mittag, who is number eight in FourFourTwo’s best players of all-time list.
Her punditry work has largely been with Amazon Prime. She is also a UEFA ambassador and has been involved in tournament draws.
Women’s Euros 2025: Guide to Group B – the world champions and a Nations League reunion
Spain, Portugal and Belgium were all in the same pool as England during this year’s Nations League. Those three will now meet again at Euro 2025 in Switzerland, where Italy replace Sarina Wiegman as defending champions. Spain have looked very vulnerable in transitional play, and there is a sense that, despite the overwhelming amount of talent at their disposal, Montse Tome does not know her best team. Italy may well be in a position to swipe top spot from under Spain’s nose. The standout match will be between Spain and Italy at the Bernabeu on Sunday, kick-off 7.45pm. Click here for all the latest from the UEFA Nations League and the Champions League in action as they take place across Europe and the Middle East this month and in the UK next month. CLICK HERE to follow all the action from the tournament in Switzerland as it takes place from September 28 to October 2, with the final in Switzerland on October 3 at 7.30pm. For the rest of the group, click here to follow the action as it happens.
You’d think Group B is probably all going to be about the fight for second place, with Belgium, Portugal and Italy all good enough to follow 2023 World Cup and 2024 UEFA Nations League winners Spain into the quarter-finals. Given how well a lot of these teams know each other, expect some intriguing tactical match-ups.
The favourites are…
It is impossible to look past Spain when it comes to winning this group, even if all is not exactly rosy under Montse Tome’s management. Tome was Jorge Vilda’s assistant when they lifted the World Cup in Australia two years ago and took over following his post-tournament sacking.
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They then also won the previous Nations League in February 2024 to qualify for the Olympic football tournament but went home from France empty-handed after losing to Brazil in the semi-finals and Germany in the bronze-medal game.
Spain have looked very vulnerable in transitional play, and there is a sense that, despite the overwhelming amount of talent at their disposal, Tome does not know her best team.
A 1-0 loss to England at Wembley in February, the first meeting between the sides since that World Cup final in Sydney, only seemed to confirm the suspicion. Spain did ultimately win their Nations League group to book a place in October’s semis, though, helped by a 2-1 win against England in the reverse fixture at the start of June.
The standout match will be…
Italy vs Spain
It would probably be a bit of an exaggeration to say Italy are Spain’s bogey team but, over the past couple of years, they have certainly caused them some issues, having picked up a 3-2 win and a 1-1 draw from the past two meetings. The fact these two meet on the final day of the group could really add to the drama, as Italy may well be in a position to swipe top spot from under Spain’s nose.
The group’s galactico is…
Alexia Putellas (Spain)
It is hard to pick between Aitana Bonmati and Putellas when it comes to Spain’s Ballon d’Or winners, but the latter heads into this European Championship meaning business. It was on the eve of the previous Euros in 2022, in one of Spain’s final training sessions, that she sustained the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury that would keep her out for a year.
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Though it’s taken time for Putellas to get back to her best but she finally looked like her old self again last season, scoring 16 goals for Barcelona in the Spanish top flight while making 17 starts.
Her club and country team-mate Bonmati has topped the voting for the past two Ballons d’Or but with the field this year looking wide open, a strong Euros from the award’s 2021 and 2022 winner Putellas could see her become the first woman to receive it three times since it was introduced seven years ago.
The player who could make a name for themselves…
Vicky Lopez (Spain)
The 18-year-old Barcelona forward first caught the eye at 15, when she became the youngest player to make an appearance in Spain’s top flight for Madrid CFF. It was not long before a move to Barcelona materialised. She initially played in their B team in the second division, before stepping up to the first-team squad.
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In November 2023, aged 17 years and 116 days, she became the youngest player to score in either a men’s or women’s Clasico, netting in a 5-0 Barcelona win. She took the record from Ansu Fati but was then usurped the following October by Lamine Yamal, who achieved the feat aged 17 years, 105 days.
It is not always easy to get opportunities in a team regarded as the best in the world but Lopez has continued to impress at the highest level, making 17 league starts last season and scoring 10 goals.
A story to look out for
Pre-tournament chat always concerns itself with the mystique of the dark horse. Group B is exciting in that regard because it boasts two of the main candidates for that tag at Euro 2025: Portugal and Italy.
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Portugal’s dark-horse credentials took a blow with their recent thrashings in the Nations League from Spain (7-1) and England (6-0), coupled with an ankle injury that will keep 22-year-old Barcelona star Kika Nazareth out of this tournament. For many Portugal fans, hope of reaching the knockout phase now sits on the shoulders of Real Sociedad midfielder Andreia Jacinto, 23.
Predictions of tectonic group-stage shifts have instead centred around Italy in the weeks leading up to the finals.
They picked up 10 points from their six Nations League matches, including a memorable 3-0 away win against Denmark and a goalless home draw with Sweden, while losing 3-2 to the latter only by a 95th-minute penalty in the reverse fixture.
Italy, too, are without a Barcelona starlet, with Giulia Dragoni having had ankle ligament surgery last month. Dragoni, then 16, was the second-youngest player called up to the 2023 World Cup and became the youngest player ever to represent Italy at a men’s or women’s World Cup. She started all three group games.
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But with Belgium and Spain also in Group B, one of Portugal or Italy will need to live up to their billing if they want to make it to the quarter-finals. From there? Anything is possible.
You might not know this but…
Beta Gunnarsdottir will be on the touchline for Belgium in this tournament — but it could all have been very different. The 48-year-old Icelandic manager was linked with the vacant Chelsea job that eventually went to Sonia Bompastor last year. Aston Villa also supposedly showed an interest in the former Kristianstad boss.
In her 14-year stint with the Swedish club, Gunnarsdottir developed a reputation for punching above her weight in terms of the team’s resources. She will be required to do similarly in this group with a Belgium side who may well be seen as the weakest of the four. That said, they beat England 3-2 in the Nations League in April, four days after being swept aside 5-0 in the reverse fixture, and ultimately finished third in a tough group containing both the 2023 World Cup finalists.
Fixtures in full
July 3: Belgium vs Italy, 17:00 BST, 12:00 ET
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July 3: Spain vs Portugal, 20:00 BST, 15:00 ET
July 7: Spain vs Belgium, 17:00 BST, 12:00 ET
July 7: Portugal vs Italy, 20:00 BST, 15:00 ET
July 11: Italy vs Spain, 20:00 BST, 15:00 ET
July 11: Portugal vs Belgium, 20:00 BST, 15:00 ET
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Spain, UK Women’s Football, Women’s Euros
2025 The Athletic Media Company
Who is Rachel Corsie? All you need to know about the Euro 2025 BBC pundit
Rachel Corsie has been named as a BBC pundit for the Euros this summer. The former Scotland international hung up her boots in June. She has played for Glasgow City, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Kansas City Current and Utah Royals in her career. Corsie made her Scotland debut in 2009 and has over 150 caps for her country. She announced her retirement from the game in 2025 because of chronic pain. She will line-up next to the likes of Ellie Roebuck and Alex Scott for the BBC. Here’s all you need to know about Corsie’s career so far and her punditry experience.
The former Scotland international hung up her boots in June with the punditry job her first since retiring.
Corsie has an extensive CV but who has she played for and how many Scotland caps does she have? Here’s all you need to know.
Rachel Corsie: Which clubs did she play for in her career?
Rachel Corsie last played for Aston Villa in her career (Image credit: Getty Images)
Corsie began her senior career at Aberdeen in 2006 where she spent two seasons before moving to Glasgow City in 2008.
With Glasgow, Corsie won seven SWPL titles, five Scottish Cups and four Scottish Premier Cups.
Rachel Corsie has over 150 caps for Scotland (Image credit: Getty Images)
She left Glasgow in 2013, but went back in 2015 on loan, and had spells at Notts County and Seattle Reign.
Corsie also played for Utah Royals, Canberra United, Birmingham City, Kansas City Current and Aston Villa.
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Villa was her final club before she announced her retirement from the game in 2025.
On the international stage, she made her debut for Scotland in 2009 and went on to play more than 150 games for her country.
🗣️ “She’s Scotland through and through”🏴 154 international caps ⚽️ 20 goals📍 Played at Euro 2017 and the 2019 World CupRachel Corsie will retire next week after the double header with Austria and the Netherlands.#BBCFootball #SWNT pic.twitter.com/8cT2tMW0pcMay 26, 2025
She represented Scotland at the 2019 World Cup and the 2017 Euros.
Corsie announced she was hanging up her boots because of chronic pain.
She said via the Guardian: “I was in chronic pain all the time, walking up and down stairs to the house, getting in and out of the shower and having to climb out the bath.
“You tolerate it in sport. You’re willing to accept some level of pain and discomfort, but it’s the rest of your day where it probably mentally impacts you more because there’s no respite.”
Corsie did have a dream end to her career as she played for Scotland in Nations League matches.
She has garnered punditry experience over the last few years and so she is not new to the media world.
Corsie will line-up next to the likes of Ellie Roebuck and Alex Scott for the BBC this summer.