10 Key WOSO Moments of 2025 - The Year of Women’s Sport

1. UEFA Women’s EURO 2025: A Tournament That Changed the Temperature

From sold-out stadiums to record-breaking digital numbers, The UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 didn’t just land, it dominated summer sport. 

29 of 31 matches sold out, with a total attendance of 657,291 (up from 574,875 in 2022). Plus some historic moments for the host, as Switzerland reached the furthest stage in their Euros history and Italy made their first semi-final since 1997. Everywhere you looked, the game felt bigger, louder, and unavoidable.

On screens, it was even bigger. BBC Sport reached 22.1 million people on TV alone, with 231 million social views, nearly half coming from TikTok. This tournament was the talk of Europe this summer. 

2. Lionesses Go Back-to-Back

Following on from the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, England retained their European crown and it was nothing short of cinematic.

A tournament that began with an opening-game loss to France spiralled into a story of chaos and resilience:

• 2-0 down to Sweden, dragged back to 2–2 to go to penalties

• 1-0 down to Italy until the final minutes, Michelle Agyemang levelling, Chloe Kelly missing an extra time penalty, then scoring the rebound to take England to their second, back to back European Final

• 1-0 down in the final, Alessia Russo equalising, then extra time and penalties again… I think we all remember how that one went: 3-1 England

  
  

Hannah Hampton was crowned Player of the Match after her showstopping penalty saves, and the final peaked at 12.2 million viewers, making it the most-watched TV moment of 2025 across all broadcasters. And history was made, as England won their first ever major tournament, off of home soil…

3. Arsenal Win the Champions League

History, reclaimed.

Arsenal beat Barcelona 1-0 in Lisbon, Stina Blackstenius scoring the winner and taking Player of the Match. It was the first time an English club had lifted the UWCL since 2007, and Arsenal remained the only English side ever to do it…

Barcelona were chasing five consecutive titles and Arsenal overturned first-leg deficits in every knockout round to get there. This wasn’t a fairytale, it was a fight.

4. Chelsea’s Domestic Treble

Invincible, ruthless and relentless.

Dominating English football was Chelsea, who went unbeaten in the league and completed the domestic treble, setting the standard yet again.

A statement under, what was, a new manager, Sonia Bompastor. After Chelsea’s dominance under Emma Hayes, there were questions over her empire falling, but the quality at Chelsea never fails to deliver. 

5. Copa América: Brazil on Top (Again)

Brazil lifted the Copa América after a 5-4 penalty shootout, and it had main-character energy written all over it.

The Brazilian legend, Marta, came out of international retirement for what was announced as her final Copa America competition, scored a brace, and took Player of the Match… because of course she did. 

The win also set up a 2026 Finalissima showdown with England, a rematch from the 2023 fixture, which saw England lift their second trophy in the space of a year. 

6. AFCON Women’s: Nigeria Set The Standard

Nigeria remains the standard.

Down 2-0 against hosts Morocco, the Super Falcons mounted a comeback for the ages to win 3-2 in front of a sold out 21,000 crowd, claiming their 12th AFCON title.

Nigeria are successful to the core, AFCON was a joy to watch throughout the summer. 

7. Gotham Win the NWSL

Gotham FC entered the NWSL Play-Offs in the bottom qualifying spot, and whilst some may have ruled them out from winning the trophy, you can never doubt a side with the quality of those players. 

Gotham edged the final 1-0 against Washington Spirit, with Rose Lavelle scoring and earning Player of the Match.

Meanwhile, Jess Carter made history, becoming the first player ever to win the Euros and the NWSL in the same year.

8. Kaz Carney Wins Strictly

From the wing to the ballroom, and straight to the trophy.

Kaz Carney didn’t just appear on Strictly Come Dancing, she won it, bringing her trademark footwork, precision, and personality to Saturday nights. Kaz had the whole women’s football community behind her, but also won the hearts of the rest of the country too.

We are so proud of you Kaz! 

9. A Generation Steps Away

2025 also marked a turning point, with icons closing chapters:

International retirements: Millie Bright, Fran Kirby, Jess Fishlock, Sandie Toletti, Sara Däbritz, Linda Sembrant, Magdalena Eriksson, Sherida Spitse (the Netherlands’ most-capped player), and Mary Earps.

Professional retirements:Christen Press, Megan Campbell, Louise Quinn, Niamh Fahey.

All leaving behind an incredible legacy behind them, and extraordinary impact on the women’s game. 

10. Record Fees, New Benchmarks

The transfer market hit new ground.

• Naomi Girma: £900k, a record set in January; San Diego Wave to Chelsea

• Olivia Smith: The first £1 million transfer, breaking Girma’s fee earlier that year; Liverpool to Arsenal

• Alyssa Thompson: (around) £1 million, close to Olivia Smith’s fee showing this is going to be the norm; Angel City to Chelsea

  
  

Record fees aren’t just numbers, they’re signals of women’s football taking that next step; investment, quality and that they’re playing on a much bigger stage now.

2025 was truly the year of women’s sport, globally. Success wasn't confined to one league or nation, it was spread globally, and got a lot of people talking. It wasn’t confined to one sport either, the Red Roses (England Women’s Rugby Team), had huge success too, winning the Rugby World CUp on home soil. 

Women’s sport ends the year bigger, better and more ambitious than it began. The bar for 2025 has been set high, so 2026 has a lot to complete with. Let us know your favourite women’s football moment of 2025.