How Much Do England Women Footballers Get Paid

Right, let’s have a natter about the big question on everyone’s lips: how much do England women footballers actually get paid? Is it private-jet-and-diamond-studded-boots money, or more like “can-I-afford-an-extra-avocado-on-my-toast” money? Grab a cuppa, because we’re about to spill the tea—and maybe a few giggles along the way.

The Short Answer: It’s Complicated (and Way Better Than It Used to Be)

First off, let’s kill the biggest myth: no, they’re not getting paid the same as the men’s team. Not yet, anyway. But the gap is shrinking faster than a footballer’s shorts after a hamstring injury.

The England women’s squad, like the Lionesses who won the Euros in 2022, earn a base salary from their club teams—think Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City. That’s their “day job” money. Then, when they pull on the Three Lions shirt for international duty, they get a separate fee from the Football Association (FA).

So, how much are we talking? A senior Lioness can earn between £25,000 and £45,000 per year from her club. Wait, don’t spit out your tea! That’s the base—and it’s way up from the £5,000 some players were scraping by on a decade ago. Progress, baby!

But Wait—There’s More! (The Bonuses Are Delicious)

Here’s where it gets juicy. The FA pays the women a match fee for each international appearance. In 2023, that was around £2,000 per game. Plus, if they win a tournament? Ker-ching! The Euro 2022 victory saw each player get a bonus of about £55,000. Not bad for a month of running around and drinking celebratory champagne from the trophy.

And here’s the kicker (pun intended): the FA also announced a historic pay structure in 2023 that ties the women’s bonuses directly to the men’s bonuses. If the men earn £X for qualifying for a World Cup, the women get the same percentage of their revenue. It’s not a “same pay” deal—but it’s a fairer share deal, which is a massive stride.

The Elephant in the Room: Club vs. Country

Now, let’s talk club money. The top stars in the Women’s Super League (WSL)—like Lucy Bronze, Keira Walsh, or Beth Mead—can earn £150,000 to £200,000 a year. That’s proper “buy a nice house and a decent car” money. For context, the average men’s Premier League player pockets about £3 million a year. So yeah, there’s a chasm—but the women’s game didn’t exist professionally a decade ago.

Here’s the hilarious bit: some players still have part-time jobs on the side. Seriously! Until 2018, many Lionesses worked as personal trainers, teachers, or even in call centres. One player, Rachel Corsie, once admitted she was earning more from a sponsorship deal with a toothpaste brand than from football. Talk about brushing up on your side hustle!

The Sponsorship Fairy Godmother

Thankfully, the sponsorship money is exploding. Brands like Barclays, Nike, and Lucozade are throwing cash at the Lionesses. The national team’s kit deal alone is worth £10 million a year to the FA. And guess what? The players get a cut of that for image rights. So a star like Chloe Kelly can earn an extra £50,000 a year just from her face on a cereal box. Win-win!

Still, let’s be real: even the highest-paid woman in the WSL (£200k) earns less than one week’s pay for a male Premier League benchwarmer. That stings. But here’s the thing: the women’s game is growing exponentially. Ticket sales for the WSL are up 300% since 2021. TV rights deals are climbing. The cash is coming—it’s just running a bit slower than a hungover defender.

Why Are They Paid Less? (Spoiler: It’s Not Because They’re Not Talented)

It’s all about revenue. The men’s game generates billions through TV deals, sponsorships, and ticket sales. The women’s game? Still building that. The WSL’s total broadcast deal is about £8 million a year. The men’s Premier League? £5 billion. That’s not a gap; it’s a gorge you can see from space.

Blame history, not the players. Women’s football was banned by the FA from 1921 to 1971. Yes, you read that right—a whole fifty years of the officials saying, “Sorry, ladies, football is bad for your ovaries.” (Cue eye-roll so hard it could bowl a strike.) That ban killed generations of talent, investment, and fan bases. We’re only 50 years into rebuilding.

The Good News: The Future Is Absolutely Buzzy

Here’s where I get all misty-eyed. In 2023, the Lionesses’ World Cup journey drew TV audiences of 7 million in the UK. The final against Spain? The most-watched women’s football match ever in Britain. The sponsors are lining up, the FA is investing £50 million into the women’s game, and clubs like Aston Villa are building dedicated women’s stadiums.

And the players themselves? They’re fighting for equality with grace and grit. They’ve collectively bargained for better pay, maternity leave, and even a clause that stops the FA from forcing them to play on artificial turf. They’re not just athletes; they’re pioneers in cleats.

The Uplifting Conclusion (I Promised You Smiles)

So, how much do England women footballers get paid? Not as much as they deserve—but way more than they did, and way more than they will tomorrow. Every time you buy a WSL ticket, watch a match on TV, or even share a silly meme about a Lioness, you’re adding a tiny coin to that pay packet. The gap is closing because we care.

And here’s the best part: these women don’t play for the paycheque. They play because they love the game. They play for the roars of little girls in the stands, for the pride of a nation, and for the sheer joy of sticking a ball in the back of the net. So the next time you see Beth Mead whipping in a cross, remember: she’s worth every penny—and then some. The future is bright, it’s lioness-strong, and it’s only just beginning. Now go buy a shirt and smile—you’ve just helped a footballer buy an extra avocado. Or a house. One day, both.