How Much Are The Lionesses Paid

Let’s be honest: when you watch the Lionesses smash a penalty into the top corner, you’re not thinking about their bank accounts. You’re thinking, “How did she do that with her ankle at that angle?” But then the game ends, the confetti settles, and the question creeps in: How much are these absolute legends actually paid? Grab a cuppa, because the answer is a glorious, slightly bonkers mix of triumph, frustration, and a few shockingly normal numbers.

The Basic Salary: Not Quite “Buy a Private Jet” Money

First, the headline figure. England’s senior Lionesses earn a basic annual salary of around £90,000 to £120,000 from the FA. That’s solid. That’s a very nice house in most of the UK, a decent car, and enough leftover for an embarrassing amount of takeaway. But here’s the kicker: that’s their base pay for playing for England—a contract that covers camps, matches, and a chunk of their time. It’s not the eye-watering millions their male counterparts pull down, but it’s way more than your average PE teacher earns. Think of it as “solidly comfortable” rather than “I own a small island.”

But wait—there’s a twist. That salary does not include their club wages. Most Lionesses play for top clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal, or Barcelona. Their club pay ranges from £30,000 to £200,000 or more per year, depending on the league and their star power. So a top Lioness like Lucy Bronze or Beth Mead is effectively earning a double income: one from the FA, one from her club. It’s like having two jobs, except both involve running very fast in shorts. Suddenly, the takeaway budget looks a bit healthier.

The Big Fat Match Fees (and Bonuses)

Here’s where it gets fun. On top of that salary, each Lioness gets a match fee for playing. For a friendly, it’s around £2,000 per game. For a competitive match like a World Cup qualifier? That jumps to about £5,000. And if they win a major tournament? Cha-ching. The FA paid out a whopping £187,000 per player after winning Euro 2022. That’s not a bonus; that’s a life-changing, “I can finally fix my mum’s roof” kind of sum. It’s also roughly the cost of one week of Premier League superstar wages, but hey, we’re not comparing apples to… golden pineapple-shaped yachts.

But here’s a hilarious, painful fact: until 2020, the Lionesses were paid nothing for playing for England. Zilch. Zero. They got expenses covered and a tracksuit. Compare that to the men’s team, who’ve been collecting six-figure match fees for decades. The women’s team literally had to sit down with the FA and say, “Look, we’ve won the Euros, we’re selling out Wembley, and we still can’t afford to quit our side gigs.” They won that fight, and now they’ve got a proper contract. But the fact they had to fight at all is the most British thing ever: polite revolution with a penalty shootout.

The Gender Pay Gap: The Elephant in the Dressing Room

Okay, let’s address the big, snorting elephant. The men’s England team earns roughly £2,000 to £5,000 per match as a basic fee—plus massive bonuses for tournament wins. But their base annual contract? It’s not public, but it’s estimated to be north of £300,000 to £500,000 per player. The men also get a share of massive TV rights and sponsor deals. The Lionesses get a much smaller slice of that pie. It’s not a fair comparison if you just shout “equal pay!”, because the men’s game generates vastly more revenue. But the gap is still embarrassing when the women sell out Wembley, win trophies, and inspire a generation. Imagine getting a bonus for winning a World Cup that’s less than a Premier League player earns in two weeks for sitting on the bench. That’s the current landscape.

However—and this is the good bit—the FA committed to equalising match fees and bonuses after the Euro 2022 victory. So now, the Lionesses get the same match fee as the men for their respective tournaments. It’s not a total equalisation of everything (the men still get bigger corporate deals), but it’s a massive step. The women basically said, “We’ll win you a trophy, you give us a fair cheque.” And they did. It’s like when you bake a cake for the office party and suddenly negotiate a raise. Iconic.

Sponsorships: Where the Real Money Hides

Here’s the secret sauce. A Lioness’s biggest payday often comes from personal sponsors. Beth Mead has deals with Adidas, Nike, and Lucozade. Mary Earps has a huge tie-up with Nike and was selling out her own goalie kit like hotcakes. Some top earners like Leah Williamson or Alessia Russo can pull in an extra £300,000 to £500,000 per year from endorsements. That’s where they start to smell like proper football money. But for the squad players? They’re still doing sponsored IG posts for protein bars and getting a free pair of boots. It’s a pyramid, and the top is glittering, but the base is still a bit dusty.

So, to answer the question: a starting Lioness pockets around £90,000 to £120,000 from England, plus club wages and some match fees. A top star can clear £400,000 to £700,000 a year with all the extras. That’s a lot of avocados on toast. But compared to the men’s stars earning millions a month? It’s like comparing a bike to a spaceship. Still, they’re the ones bringing home the Euros trophy. So next time you see them celebrate, remember: they’re not just playing for glory. They’re also playing for a little bit of justice—and a much bigger bank balance than they had four years ago. And honestly? They deserve every penny, plus a lifetime supply of that winner’s champagne.