England's European Championship semi-final victory over Italy on Tuesday night delivered ITV's highest viewing figures of the year, with a peak audience of 10.2 million watching Chloe Kelly's extra-time winner. The dramatic match averaged 8 million viewers across 120 minutes, making it ITV's top-rated programme among adults and the 16-34 age group in 2025.
The win also broke streaming records for ITVX, which recorded its biggest day of the year with 17.2 million stream views. Support for the Lionesses has grown throughout the tournament, with ITV's peak audience rising from 2.6 million for the opening group game against France to 4.2 million for the final group match against Wales. The quarter-final against Sweden, broadcast on the BBC, attracted a peak of 7.3 million viewers.
ITV will share coverage of Sunday's final against Spain or Germany with the BBC. The ITV studio lineup in Basel will feature Laura Woods, Ian Wright, Emma Hayes, and Karen Carney. Meanwhile, the Football Association has held talks with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Greater London Authority about staging a parade if England win. Plans for a public celebration, including a parade in central London and a reception at Downing Street on Monday or Tuesday, have been discussed but will only be confirmed if England secure the trophy.
A visit to Buckingham Palace could also be on the agenda, with Prince William, the FA president, set to attend the final. Sarina Wiegman, the England coach, is in line to receive an honorary damehood should England lift the trophy, upgrading her honorary CBE awarded for winning the competition in 2022.
