FRESH OFF THE BENCH: LIDL REVIVES ICONIC FOOTBALL SNACK AHEAD OF UEFA WOMEN’S EUROS

• New research reveals half of adults who played sport as children have the half time orange as core memory
• Lidl GB launches campaign to bring back half time orange slices – with grassroots teams able to win vouchers to grab oranges from their local Lidl
• Research finds more than two thirds of parents agree it would be a good idea to bring back half time orange ritual

2 July 2025, London – Lidl is calling for the return of a beloved icon of the nation’s football memories – the half-time orange slice. The call to arms comes as new research reveals that half of Brits who played sport as children remember the iconic half-time orange as a core memory from childhood football matches. The nostalgia is strongest amongst those aged 55 and over, with 64% remembering the tradition. In contrast, only 29% of 18-24-year-olds recall receiving the juicy snack during half-time.

Over the years, this half-time ritual has disappeared and been replaced with alternative snack choices. For parents in GB who have children 18 or under who play matches cereal bars (35%), protein bars (5%) and even chocolate (30%) and crisps (27%) have become popular options for many, while fewer than one in five parents (19%) still choose the humble orange slice for their children’s half-time go-to snack.

Registered nutritionist, Dr Hazel Wallace, also known as The Food Medic, believes orange slices are just as effective for giving a half-time boost: “As a nutritionist and someone who’s always been active, I know how important food is for fuelling performance and supporting recovery - ideally from whole foods! Oranges have been a classic half-time snack for years (I remember having them during hockey and football matches), and they offer a refreshing combination of fluid, electrolytes, and vitamin C. That makes them great for hydration and supporting immune function with the added bonus of being naturally sweet and easy to digest.”

The research revealed why the ritual has fallen off our radars. For many parents it’s because they are messy (33%) and too much effort to bring (31%). Yet approximately two thirds of parents (62%) agree it would be a good idea to bring back the orange slice ritual to their kid’s football games.  Amongst those who agree with this sentiment almost two thirds of parents think it’s an affordable and accessible snack (65%) and it’s an easy way to get their child(ren) eating more fresh fruit and getting one of their 5-a-day (62%). Parents also pointed to it being traditional (47%) and a good way to step back for a short time from the competitive nature of the game (41%).

Georgina Hall, Director of Corporate Affairs at Lidl says, “There’s something brilliantly nostalgic about the humble orange slice – a half-time memory that’s stayed with many of us since childhood. As the official Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Partner of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025™, we’re proud to bring the nation together in support of the England and Wales teams. Whether you’re pitch side or watching from home, it’s a fun and meaningful way to celebrate the tournament – and a great reminder that fresh fruit remains a simple, feel-good choice for everyday athletes.”

As the Official Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Partner of UEFA Women’s EURO 2025™, Lidl is offering 250 grassroots teams across Great Britain the chance to pick up free oranges to enjoy at half-time throughout the Women’s Euros tournament. To enter for a chance to win a voucher to spend in store, members of the public can visit this link before the tournament ends on Sunday 27th July.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Please see a link to the terms and conditions of the competition here.

About the research

YouGov polled over 2,000 adults (2006) across a nationally representative sample in GB. Fieldwork was conducted online between 13th - 16th June 2025. The survey was carried out online.  The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+)

YouGov polled over 1,000 (1025) parents of children aged 18 or under across a nationally representative sample in GB. Fieldwork was conducted online between 13th - 17th June 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB parents who have children aged 18 or under.

About Lidl GB

Since establishing itself in Great Britain in 1994, Lidl GB has experienced continuous growth and today has over 35,000 employees, over 980 stores and 14 distribution centres in England, Scotland and Wales.

As part of the Schwarz retail group, Lidl is one of Europe’s leading organisations in the food retail industry. The supermarket, which has around 375,000 employees globally, currently operates over 12,350 stores and more than 225 logistics centres and warehouses in 31 countries.

The supermarket takes pride in providing its customers with the highest quality products at the lowest possible prices throughout Great Britain, from Kirkwall to the Isle of Wight.

Social responsibility and sustainability are at the core of the company's daily operations, with the company placing a strong emphasis on its responsibility for people, society, and the environment. Lidl GB is passionate about working with British producers and sources two thirds of its products from British suppliers. 

The Schwarz Group, which operates worldwide as a retail group, generated a revenue of €167.2 billion in the financial year 2023.

For more information about Lidl GB visit corporate.lidl.co.uk