If England emerges victorious in the Euro 2025 tournament, will a national holiday be declared?
The Women's Euro 2025 final is approaching, with England set to face Spain on July 27 at 5pm UK time. The Lionesses have had a thrilling run to the final, with two dramatic victories over Sweden and Italy in the knockout stages.
SheKicks, a football organisation, launched a petition urging the UK government and Prime Minister to declare a bank holiday if England wins the tournament. The petition reflects the strong public enthusiasm for such a celebration. However, Downing Street has officially stated that no plans for a bank holiday have been made, despite former Labour leader Keir Starmer (now Prime Minister) having called for one after England's 2022 victory.
Starmer has publicly backed the calls for a bank holiday, but the government has maintained a cautious stance, urging not to get ahead of events before the outcome is decided. As it stands, there is currently no confirmed government plan for a bank holiday in England if the Lionesses win the Euro 2025 final.
Despite the lack of a bank holiday, there will be celebrations up and down the country on Sunday night if England emerges victorious. The trophy up for grabs is the one England lifted in 2022, and the team is aiming to maintain their status as European champions.
Pub licensing hours have been extended until 1am on Sunday night/Monday morning for the occasion. Both BBC One and ITV1 will be showing the game live, providing ample opportunities for fans to cheer on the Lionesses.
If England wins the final, there will be celebrations up and down the country on Sunday night. While a bank holiday may not be on the cards, the spirit of the nation will undoubtedly be out in force to support the team.
The public's excitement for England's potential Euro 2025 win extends beyond football, with SheKicks launching a petition for a bank holiday. Regardless of the government's current stance, the general news and politics segments are abuzz with discussions about this petition. If England emerges victorious, national celebrations will not be limited to football-related events, such as the Champions League or European leagues; instead, they will span across various social and cultural spheres.
