ENGLAND WOMEN will play in Newcastle for the first time in May as part of an international double-header at St James’ Park.

The Lionesses will play France in a Women’s Euro 2025 qualifier at St James’ Park on Friday, May 31, with the game marking their first-ever outing at the stadium.

England’s men’s team have already announced a warm-up game ahead of this summer's Euros against Bosnia & Herzegovina at St James’ on the following Monday (June 3).

The qualifier in Newcastle will be England’s first meeting with France for three years, with a 3-1 defeat in an international friendly in April 2021 the last time the two teams met.

England will kick off the defence of their Euros crown with an opening qualifier against Sweden at Wembley on Friday, April 5. They will then head to Dublin to face the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday, April 9 in the first game between the two sides for almost four decades.

Carrow Road will host the final home game of the qualifying campaign against Republic of Ireland on Friday, July 12.

England boss Sarina Wiegman said: “Wembley holds such special memories and I am delighted we can begin our Euro qualifiers in our home against Sweden.

“In all, it’s going to be an exciting qualification campaign against three top opponents. I’m sure the fans are looking forward to the games and it’s really nice that we’re playing our three home games in really special venues in different parts of England.

“Wherever we play in the country we have such fantastic support and I’m sure these games in London, Newcastle and Norwich will be no different. We will need to show up and perform but there’s no doubt the fans can help us.”

Tickets for the game against France in Newcastle will go on sale to My England Football members from Wednesday, March 27. A general sale of tickets will then begin on Wednesday, April 3.

By the end of qualifying, 15 nations will join hosts Switzerland at Euro 2025. The top two nations in the four League A groups will all automatically qualify for the finals, with a further seven places available via the play-offs.