UEFA Women’s Euro 2025: Everything you need to know

UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 was a great moment for England football fans. The 8-0 win over Norway. The quarter-final comeback against Spain. Alessia Russo’s cheeky backheeled goal in the semi-final. The memorable extra-time win against Germany in the final at Wembley, in front of 87,000 fans. Chloe Kelly’s instantly iconic celebration. The euphoria of a rare international success.

Well, that’s all in the past now because it’s time for Euro 2025! Only three years on instead of the usual four (thanks to a Covid-enforced delay last time), 16 teams will arrive in Switzerland with the ambition of lifting the trophy this July. It promises to be another four-week feast of international summer football, and we can’t wait for it all to kick off – with every match live on Virgin TV.

Read on for all the info you need about UEFA Women’s Euro 2025.

There are 16 teams taking part in the classic format: four groups of four, with the top two from each group progressing to the knockout rounds. Group winners face group runners-up in the quarter-finals.

Holders England have qualified so they’ll get the chance to defend their title, while former champions Germany, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden are present, as are world champs Spain. Wales are one of two teams making their debut at the finals this year, alongside Poland.
Despite being holders, England weren’t ranked among the top seeds for the draw, so they face a tough group. Almost inevitably, England and Wales were drawn together, and they’ll meet in their final group match on 13 July.

Wales are aiming to make an impact in their first appearance in the finals, and they put in a spirited performance in the most recent UEFA Nations League campaign, taking on highly ranked opponents in the top tier of the competition. They drew home and away with Sweden and lost three games by just a single goal, although the final match was a 4-1 home thumping by Italy.

There’s a sprinkling of real quality in the Wales squad, including record cap holder Jess Fishlock, as well as Lily Woodham and skipper Angharad James, who play alongside Fishlock for Seattle Reign of the NWSL (Woodham spent last season on loan at Crystal Palace). Liverpool’s Gemma Evans and Hayley Ladd of Everton had good seasons in the WSL. But with numerous players from the second and third tiers of the English league, they may find that togetherness and dedication won’t be enough to take them to the knockouts.

They’ll be eyeing that fixture against England with relish, though. The holders have gone through a “crisis” according to reports, with Euro 2022 winners Mary Earps and Fran Kirby retiring from internationals ahead of the tournament, and World Cup 2023 captain Millie Bright making herself unavailable. However, the Lionesses still have a squad packed with talent, from Leah Williamson at the back to Alessia Russo up front, as well as a canny coach in Sarina Wiegman with her glittering record of tournament success.

Defender Alex Greenwood, midfielder Georgia Stanway and forwards Lauren James and Lauren Hemp, all of whom were in danger of missing out through injury, have returned ahead of the competition. Plus their five-strong Arsenal contingent just won the UEFA Women’s Champions League and know a thing or two about overcoming top-level continental opponents. They’re firmly among the favourites.

With the BBC and ITV as official broadcasters, all the games are on free-to-air television and available to all Virgin TV customers. The live games are shared between the two, roughly equally in the group stage, and then ITV will show one quarter-final and one semi-final live, with the rest on the BBC. All matches are also streamed live on the relevant service, so Apps > BBC iPlayer or Apps > ITVX.

You’ll be able to watch highlights of every match in Apps > BBC iPlayer, with regular reports from the England and Wales camps on BBC TV and BBC iPlayer. The BBC’s Football Daily and Feast Of Football podcasts will be coming from Switzerland daily, and you can listen in Apps > BBC Sounds. And remember, you can follow all the live action wherever you are in the UK, as long as there’s WiFi, 3G or 4G, thanks to Virgin TV Go. Simply download the free app, which is free to all Virgin TV customers and is compatible with Android, iOS, Windows 10 and PC/Mac. Download the Virgin TV Go app.

Here are the England and Wales group fixtures with kick-off times, and click below for the full list and where you can watch. Wales games are also available on S4C HD (CH 104/164) with Welsh-language commentary.

Wales v Netherlands
Saturday 5 July, 5pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

France v England
Saturday 5 July, 8pm, ITV1 HD (CH (103)

England v Netherlands
Wednesday 9 July, 6pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

France v Wales
Wednesday 9 July, 8pm, ITV1 HD (CH (103)

England v Wales
Sunday 13 July, 8pm, ITV1 HD (CH (103)

Click on the team names below to see our predictions…