The Lionesses will commemorate their 500th international across matches against Spain and Iceland, featuring reunions, a plaque unveiling, and a limited-edition warm-up top
The England Women senior team will mark a major milestone when they play their 500th international match in April. The landmark is scheduled to fall during the friendly against Iceland on Saturday 18 April [5.30pm BST], while the build-up begins at match 499, the crucial FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier versus Spain at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday 14 April.
These fixtures form the centrepiece of a short celebration that recognises more than half a century of top-level women’s international football in England.
Preparations for both fixtures have been underway at St. George’s Park, with the squad focused on the sporting challenge and the wider commemorative programme.
Fans attending the Spain game will still find tickets available, and organisers have arranged a series of moments across the week to honour the people and events that shaped the national side. Expect a mixture of on-pitch presentations, special kit elements, and community recognition that link the past with the present.
What supporters can expect at Wembley and beyond
At Wembley, more than 50 former Lionesses from different eras will attend, many forming a guard of honour as both teams enter the pitch for the Spain fixture. The match day will feature visible branding across the stadium that nods to the team’s history, giving long-time followers and newer fans alike an opportunity to connect with the story of the Lionesses. Organisers will also stage a pitchside presentation to acknowledge the international career of Mary Earps, who retired from international duty in 2026 after earning 53 caps.
Elsewhere in the week, the FA will unveil a permanent marker in Nuneaton on Thursday 16 April to recognise the site of England’s first home women’s fixture. The original meeting with Scotland, an 8-0 victory on 23 June 1973, remains a cornerstone moment and will be referenced in the celebrations. Family members of early pioneers, including representatives from Lynda Hale’s family—Hale scored in the first official England women’s fixture in 1972 and recently passed away—will be present at events that pay tribute to the squad’s origins.
Commemorative kit and limited-edition merchandise
To mark the 500th match, the squad will wear a specially designed Lionesses Nike limited-edition warm-up top for the pre-match routine in Reykjavik. The design draws inspiration from the original Women’s FA logo, intended as a clear salute to the early players who laid the groundwork for today’s professional environment. Supporters will have the chance to buy a small run of the black and white designs at the Wembley Stadium store on Tuesday 14 April, with an online release scheduled from Wednesday 15 April on the official England store.
Limited edition warm-up top
The top itself blends retro cues with modern performance materials, featuring branding that highlights the 500th international in a subtle way. Wearing the top in warm-ups creates a visible link between the current squad and the pioneers who played decades earlier, and the limited production run is aimed at collectors and supporters keen to own a piece of the occasion. Availability will be restricted, so those wishing to purchase should plan for the initial Wembley release or the subsequent online drop.
Digital and fan content
Across England’s digital channels, supporters can expect targeted content that uncovers personal stories, archival moments and reflections from ex-players and current squad members. This content will include interviews, historical highlights and short features intended to celebrate the team’s five-decade journey rather than simply list match facts. The FA’s digital programme aims to give depth to the milestone by amplifying voices from different generations of Lionesses.
Tributes, honours and legacy moments
Several ceremonial items will feature during the week. Before kick-off against Spain, the crowd will witness a presentation in honour of Mary Earps’ international career, recognising her role in the Euros and World Cup runs. At half time there will be recognition for the England women’s blind team, whose squad claimed a silver medal at the 2026 World Championship in India. Future home internationals will also showcase the England women’s deaf squad, who were recently crowned European Futsal champions.
Captain Leah Williamson reflected on the significance of the week, emphasising responsibility to the past and future of the sport. She said that reaching the 500th game highlights how the current players are beneficiaries of the work and resilience of those who came before, and that the squad sees itself as caretakers charged with expanding opportunities for the next generation. The commemorations therefore combine celebration with a clear message about stewardship and progress in women’s football.
