May 30 – The Lionesses are just weeks away from defending their UEFA Women’s European Championship crown, and this time they’ll be doing so with significantly more financial incentive after the Football Association announced record bonus payments that dwarf previous tournaments.
The FA has committed £1.7 million in performance bonuses – more than double what the squad received for reaching the 2023 World Cup final in Australia. Individual players now stand to earn up to £73,000 each, depending on appearances and minutes played, should England successfully retain their European title in Switzerland.
The generous bonus structure represents a dramatic shift from the treatment England’s women received just four years ago. When the Lionesses lifted the European Championship trophy at Wembley in 2021, defeating Germany 2-1 in extra time in front of a record 87,192 spectators, the financial rewards were practically non-existent.
That historic triumph – which saw Chloe Kelly’s winner spark scenes of unbridled joy and captain Leah Williamson lift the trophy amid deafening cheers – came with minimal monetary compensation. The players who delivered England’s first major tournament victory since 1966 were rewarded more with national adoration than financial recognition, highlighting the vast gap between men’s and women’s football compensation at the time.
The contrast with the men’s Euro 2020 squad, who received substantial bonuses despite losing the final on penalties to Italy, was stark and widely criticised. Even reaching the final earned Gareth Southgate’s team far more individually than the Lionesses received for actually winning their tournament.
This enhanced bonus structure also addresses the “huge disappointment” expressed by players ahead of the 2023 World Cup, when the FA’s initial bonus offerings were deemed inadequate for a squad ranked among the world’s elite. The negotiations for this tournament were reportedly challenging, but all parties have now reached satisfaction – a crucial development given the squad’s elevated expectations following their Wembley triumph.
The timing couldn’t be better, as UEFA has more than doubled the total prize money available to the 16 competing nations to £34 million, with the winners receiving £4.3 million. This means the FA stands to benefit financially alongside the players if England enjoys another successful campaign.
The Lionesses face a challenging path to defending their crown, with a group stage that includes powerhouses France in their opener, followed by matches against the Netherlands and Wales. With the tournament running from July 2-27, Sarina Wiegman’s squad will be eager to prove that their Wembley magic wasn’t a one-time affair – and this time, they’ll be properly compensated for their efforts.
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