Baddiel, Skinner & The Lightning Seeds Announce Three Lions 30th Anniversary Re-release
- Lightning Seeds have announced a 30th anniversary re-release of Three Lions as the England national football team prepares for the 2026 World Cup.
- The song was originally written and released in 1996 to celebrate England hosting the Euro 96 tournament.
- The 2026 re-release features new illustrated artwork created by Guardian cartoonist David Squires.
Baddiel, Skinner &. Lightning Seeds have announced a 30th anniversary re-release of Three Lions
as the England national football team prepares for the 2026 World Cup. The track is scheduled for release on June 12, 2026, marking three decades since the original collaboration between comedy duo David Baddiel and Frank Skinner and indie rockers The Lightning Seeds.
The song was originally written and released in 1996 to celebrate England hosting the Euro 96 tournament. Since its debut, it has become a central part of British sporting culture and holds a unique place in music history as the only song to reach UK Number One on four separate occasions with the same artist.
Special Edition Release and Artwork
The 2026 re-release features new illustrated artwork created by Guardian cartoonist David Squires. The release includes a vinyl edition that offers several different versions of the track, including a Remastered
version and a Karaoke
version.
In addition to the standard versions, the vinyl release includes the Jules Rimet Extended Mix
and the Sake Bar Remix
.
Chart History and Cultural Impact
The track’s chart performance is characterized by its recurring return to the top of the UK charts during major football tournaments. It first topped the charts twice upon its original release in 1996.
The song returned to the peak position for three consecutive weeks during the 1998 World Cup. Most recently, it made chart history in 2018 by jumping from Number 24 to Number One in a single week.
Evolution of the Single
The 2026 version is the latest in a series of updates to the song. Following the initial 1996 release, the trio released the Three Lions ’98
remix, which integrated real-world audio of stadium crowds singing the song during Euro ’96.
In 2010, a charity remake of the song was released for that year’s World Cup. This version was led by Robbie Williams and Russell Brand, who released the track under the name The Squad
.
More recently, a festive version titled It’s Coming Home For Christmas
was released in 2022 ahead of the World Cup in Qatar. This remix incorporated festive bells and modified lyrics to recognize the women’s national team, the Lionesses, following their victory in the Euros that year.
2026 World Cup and Touring Schedule
The re-release is timed to coincide with the 2026 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place between June 11 and July 19, 2026. The tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Alongside the anniversary release, The Lightning Seeds have scheduled a series of performances for the summer of 2026. The band will be playing a run of festival dates and embarking on a tour alongside Deacon Blue.