The Football Association has finalised a record bonus package worth up to £1.7 million for England’s Lionesses if they retain their European Championship title this summer. The agreement, which more than doubles the amount awarded after the 2023 World Cup final, came after tense negotiations that risked disrupting preparations.
Each player could receive an average of £73,000 if England triumph in July, surpassing the £55,000 they earned following their Euro 2022 victory at Wembley. The precise sum depends on appearances and minutes played, with the overall pot three times larger than the one offered for the previous European triumph.
Talks had reached an impasse, echoing the standoff before the 2023 World Cup when a dispute over performance-related payments was only resolved after the tournament. This time, the FA increased its initial offer, and the squad expressed satisfaction with the outcome. The resolution came just as the team assembled at St George’s Park for training, removing a potential distraction after Mary Earps’s international retirement announcement.
The FA equalised match fees for men’s and women’s senior teams five years ago, with players receiving about £2,000 per game—mostly donated to charity. However, bonus payments remain disparate due to differing prize money: Gareth Southgate’s men would have shared £14 million had they won Euro 2024. For the women’s tournament, Uefa has more than doubled prize money to £34 million, with the winners receiving £4.3 million, from which the FA will allocate bonuses.
England begin their Euro 2025 build-up with a Nations League match against Portugal at Wembley on Friday, followed by a friendly with Jamaica. They then face France, the Netherlands, and Wales in the group stage, starting against France on 5 July.
