After Wednesday’s semi-final win over co-hosts Australia the Lionesses made the front page of every national newspaper on Thursday, bar the Financial Times.
Ahead of Sunday’s 11am kick-off for the final against Spain, newspaper publishers have quickly swung into action with additional content to mark the achievement, which is the first time any England football team have reached a World Cup final since England beat Germany in 1966.
Reach has included a glossy ‘Come On Lionesses’ window poster with today’s Mirror, Star and Express newspapers.
The three titles have a combined average daily circulation of more than 568,000.
A spokesperson told Printweek: “We are planning extra supplements or pages across all of our titles this weekend.”
News UK tabloid The Sun is also planning to go large on the achievement this weekend. The paper lays claim to being “the first and only paper to splash the team” on its front page prior to the semi-final.
Publishers are also poised to press go on further special content, cover wraps and supplements should England become world champions on Sunday.
Replica kit sales are also reported to be strong, although there is controversy around Nike’s decision not to include any goalkeeper kits, leading to disappointment for fans of England stopper Mary Earps.
Other branded Lioness merchandise includes phone cases and, somewhat bizarrely, an officially licensed England female football player gnome for £25.
