The Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia has been nothing short of spectacular. For the Lionesses, who just secured their spot in the final, this is also a history-defining moment for the nation’s team.
There are many momentous achievements being carved out during this tournament but, in many respects, the game is a long way off from achieving equality.
This year, the tournament expanded from 24 to 32 teams, giving it parity with the men’s version. What’s more, millions are believed to have tuned in to watch the Lionesses triumph over Australia.
However, female footballers still often earn a fraction of what men do. And, it is a cheaper option for fans to go to watch.
How much do women’s footballers get paid?
The Women’s Super League, which is English football’s top domestic competition, is one of the world’s most competitive, and it features an abundance of talent, from Chelsea’s Sam Kerr to Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema.
Despite this, the salary for these players can be as low as £20,000 per year. The average WSL salary is £47,000 a year, according to the BBC, compared with players in the Premier League, who earn an average of £8.2m.
Due to this low payment, some players are being “priced out” of playing professional football, due to the lack of opportunities.
At the other end of the spectrum, a select few players have contracts of more than £300,000 a year.
How do male and female footballers’ bonuses compare?
According to the Telegraph, The Lionesses are set to earn the “most generous bonus in the FA’s history” after winning the Euros, with each player to get £55,000.
However, that £1.3 million handout to the squad would be much lower than the £5 million bonus the men’s team would reportedly have shared had they won the Euros last summer.
How much do Women’s Super League tickets cost?
In comparison to the Premier League, WSL tickets are relatively cheap and easy to purchase. Sides rarely charge more than £10 for adults, with children’s prices often less than £5.
Season tickets can cost around £40. In comparison, season tickets for men’s league teams can go for as much as £2,000.
Research by the Athletic revealed that for 2022/2023 in the men’s Premier League:
- Five clubs have broken the £1,000 barrier for their most expensive season ticket, with Tottenham Hotspur selling season tickets for up to £2,025.
- The average most expensive adult ticket at time of writing is £97 for Arsenal; the cheapest is £44.
According to Four Four Two, this is the complete list of Women’s Super League tickets:
- Arsenal — £8 adults, £4 children
- Aston Villa — £10 adults, £7.50 children
- Brighton — £8-£10 adults, £4-£5 children
- Chelsea — £9 adults, £1 children
- Everton — £8 adults, £4 children
- Leicester City — £8 adults, £4 children
- Liverpool — £6 adults, £4.50 children
- Manchester City — £9 adults, £4 children
- Manchester United — £6 adults, £3 children
- Reading — £12 adults, £4 children
- Tottenham — £7 adults, £3.50 children
- West Ham — £12 adults, £5 children
Highest-paid women’s footballers in 2023
- Sam Kerr — Chelsea — £398,000
- Alex Morgan — San Diego Wave — £349,000
- Megan Rapinoe — OL Reign (Seattle) — £346,500
- Julie Ertz — Angel City FC (LA) — £333,000
- Ada Hegerberg — D1 Arkema (Féminine, Lyon) and Norway — £330,000
(According to Statistica)
Highest-paid male football players in 2023
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Al Nassr — £173m
- Kylian Mbappé — PSG — £115m
- Lionel Messi — PSG — £108m (Messi has since transferred to Inter Miami)
- Neymar — PSG — £78m
- Mohamed Salah — Liverpool — £47m
