From Champions League triumphs to youth internationals, a packed 2025 delivers a clear top ten.
I attended 60 matches in 2025. Fifty nine were women’s games and one was a men’s Premier League fixture. Of those, 20 were Women’s Super League matches and 13 were in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, including the final in Lisbon. These are the ten games I enjoyed the most.
10. Chelsea v AC Milan
A pre season friendly followed by a notably revealing post match press conference involving AC Milan’s coaches and players. It was striking to hear their perspective on the differences between the WSL and Serie A Femminile, something echoed later in the season by Roma’s manager after a Champions League match.
9. Sankt Pölten v Chelsea, NV Arena
A new ground and a new city, combined with a long conversation with Sankt Pölten’s French defender Agathe Ollivier. The match was followed by a memorable press conference, including an amusing exchange involving Chelsea’s communications staff and Sonia Bompastor.
8. Montreal Roses v Calgary Wild, Centre sportif Bois de Boulogne
A chance to experience the launch of Canada’s new Northern Super League. The occasion included an interview with French international Charlotte Bilbault, as well as time to catch up with Lydia Bedford, making it a particularly rewarding trip.
7. Portugal U19 v England U19, Mościce Tarnobrzeg
England collapsed after taking the lead, eventually losing 4–1. Despite the result, there were clear signs of promise within the squad, including Lexi Potter, Laila Harbert and Rachel Maltby. The England coach’s post match explanation of the defeat was especially thoughtful and instructive.
6. FC Nantes v Les Marseillaises, La Beaujoire
A sunny Sunday afternoon and a new attendance record for FC Nantes, with more than 17,000 present for a 3–0 win. It was also notable to see Corinne Diacre relaxed and approachable in the mixed zone following her dismissal as France head coach, a marked contrast to her previous dealings with the press.
5. Bayern Munich v Arsenal Women, Allianz Arena
An extraordinary match in a magnificent stadium. It remains difficult to comprehend how Arsenal allowed Bayern back into the game after being in control. One of the most dramatic collapses I have witnessed from Arsenal Women, alongside the 6–0 defeat away to Umeå.
4. Arsenal v Barcelona, Estádio José Alvalade
Arsenal’s second Champions League title, achieved as underdogs through disciplined and intelligent defensive organisation. The sense of collective reward for players and staff was palpable. The memory is sharpened by the chaotic stadium logistics, including a single, overwhelmed lift trying to serve hundreds of people across seven floors, and by the jubilant atmosphere in the press box at full time.
3. Arsenal v Lyon, Meadow Park
The finest club match I attended in terms of intensity, tempo, physicality and technical quality. World class football from both sides, played at an extraordinary pace.
2. Lyon v Arsenal, Groupama Stadium
Arsenal overturning a home defeat with a commanding performance in Lyon was another outstanding moment. Tactical missteps from Joe Montemurro, including players used out of position, were ruthlessly exposed. It was a tremendous display from Renée Slegers and her team.
1. France v England, Letzigrund, Zurich
A high quality match that swung both ways, with each side dominating in spells. France’s victory was deserved and hugely enjoyable, even if it was later followed by their familiar mental collapse in the quarter finals. That group stage win, however, stood out as the highlight of the year.
Looking ahead, 2026 promises even more, with the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, the UEFA Women’s Champions League, the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup involving France and England, and a packed calendar that will also include women’s futsal European qualifiers.