Flashback to the Lionesses in Leicester

The Lionesses will play in Leicester for a fourth time on Tuesday 13 October, when Sarina Wiegman’s side face Greece in the second leg of their FIFA Women’s World Cup round one play-off.

Following their 3-1 first-leg victoryin Heraklion on Friday, England will be hoping to secure their place in the next stage in front of another big home crowd.

The fixture will add another chapter to the Lionesses’ growing history at the home of Leicester, following two memorable previous visits to the King Power Stadium, and one to their former ground, Filbert Street. 

From a hard-fought draw more than 46 years ago, to a seven-goal win ahead of EURO 2025, England have enjoyed plenty of success in the city. Here, we look back at those games before the Lionesses' latest return.

England 1-1 Sweden, 1980

The Lionesses’ first visit to Leicester came more than four decades before their return to the King Power Stadium, when England faced Sweden at Filbert Street on 17 September 1980. The friendly was only the 34th match in England women’s senior international history.

Sweden were already an established force in the women’s game, having beaten England in their first two meetings and come out on top in a penalty shootout against the Lionesses in the unofficial European Championship third-place play-off a year earlier.

England found the breakthrough through Tracy Doe, who scored to give the hosts the lead. However, Sweden responded with an equaliser from Eva Söderström, leaving the game level at 1-1.

The draw was a respectable result for England against a strong Sweden side and brought the curtain down on a memorable first women's international in Leicester.

England 1-0 Belgium, 2023

The Lionesses made their return to Leicester in October 2023, beating Belgium 1-0 in front of 28,321 supporters at the King Power Stadium in a UEFA Women’s Nations League clash.

After defeat to the Netherlands in their previous game, England were looking for a response. They almost fell behind, however, with Mary Earps called into action early to deny Justine Vanhaevermaet as her header was pushed onto the post.

Sarina Wiegman's side took the lead in the 13th minute when Lauren Hemp reacted quickest after Millie Bright’s header had come back off the woodwork, firing home from close range.

The Lionesses continued to control much of the game but could not find a second goal, leaving Belgium with hope of a late equaliser. The defence held firm, though, as the hosts secured three points to draw level with the Netherlands at the top of the group.

It was also a memorable night for Fran Kirby, who returned to international football after more than a year away through injury at the King Power Stadium.

England 7-0 Jamaica, 2025

The Lionesses returned to Leicester in June 2025 for their final fixture before UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, with more than 25,000 supporters watching on. Jamaica provided the opposition as England prepared for what would prove to be a successful title defence in Switzerland.

Ella Toone opened the scoring after just ten minutes, before Lucy Bronze doubled the advantage with a header midway through the first half. Toone then struck again in stoppage time to send Wiegman's side into the break 3-0 ahead.

There was no let-up after half-time as Georgia Stanway made it four, Alessia Russo added a fifth and Aggie Beever-Jones came off the bench to score England’s sixth. Beth Mead completed the victory with a seventh in stoppage time.

It was the perfect send-off before EURO 2025, with England producing an emphatic performance in front of another big Leicester crowd. The Lionesses' current crop will be hoping for a similarly dominant display when Greece visit the King Power Stadium on Tuesday.