Well, it’s finally come home. The Lionesses’ victory in extra-time yesterday wasn’t just a roaring success for this team alone, but for everyone – and one which many hope, and are predicting, will leave a great legacy in the women’s game.
The viewing figures show signs it will do just that, with a record 17.4 million people having tuned in to watch the game at home, whilst a further 5.9 million had streamed the match via BBC iPlayer or the BBC Sport website and app.
This wasn’t just the most-watched women’s football game in UK television history, but also the most-watched programme so far in 2022. The figures reported also don’t account for the many who would have watched the game in a pub, for instance, where numerous people would be crowded round one screen.
The 87,192 who watched the game from inside Wembley Stadium also set a record, as they soaked in the jubilation of the goals from Ella Toone and an extra-time winner from Chloe Kelly to clinch victory – the first major tournament won by England since the men’s World Cup in 1966.
“We are incredibly proud to have championed women’s football and are thrilled we were able to bring such a special sporting moment to the public,” the BBC’s director-general Tim Davie said.
“This was the most-watched women’s football game on UK television of all-time and the most-watched programme in 2022 so far – and deservedly so. Everyone at the BBC is delighted at the win and being able to share that with the public.”
Prior to yesterday’s victory, the most-watched women’s football game in UK TV history was the 9 million average audience and 11.7 million peak who tuned in to watch England’s semi-final defeat by the US at the World Cup in 2019.
This new result also set records in the opposition’s country Germany, with an average audience of 17.8 million people. Indeed, this women’s Euros was a riveting affair that brought new light, admiration and eyeballs to the women’s game.
Many will be hoping that in turn will lead to greater investment, ensuring yesterday’s victory becomes a watershed moment for women’s sport as a whole.
