Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: England, Sarina Wiegman, Euro 2024, Womens Football
Josh Lawless
England's Lionesses will net a tidy bonus figure if they are able to make history and win the Euro 2025 final against Spain on Sunday evening.
Sarina Wiegman's side are vying to retain their crown at St-Jakob Park on Basel after an incredible penalty shoot-out triumph over Sweden and dramatic last-gasp win over Italy in the semi-final.
England won Euro 2022 on home soil at Wembley by defeating Germany and ending the nation's 56-year wait for major silverware, but beating the world champions would represent an unprecedented feat for the national team.
And it will come with sizeable financial rewards for the heroic group of players. Ahead of the tournament, UEFA announced a record-breaking £34 million prize pool - a 156 per cent increase from the Euros in England three years ago.
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UEFA said that players will "receive a guaranteed share of the prize money awarded to their national association" - with £1.5 million the base fee for participating.
In comparison, £8 million was the standard fee for all participating nations in the men's Euro 2024 tournament.
However, £4.4 million is the prize fund for going all the way - £2.7 million higher than what it was for Euro 2022 but still £20.1 million less than what England would have banked had Gareth Southgate's men beaten Spain in Germany last year.
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According to The Times, England's players are already guaranteed an £87,000 fee and a bonus payment for getting to a third final on the trot.
In May, The Guardian claimed that after negotiations with the FA, it was agreed that the Lionesses be given a record £1.7 million bonus pot - which averages out at £73,000.
Minutes played and appearances will depend on the final sum each player receives and there will also be some commercial endorsements.
In 2020 the FA made the decision to equal match fees paid to both the men and women players who represent England at senior level, with the sum around £2,000.
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Typically players donate their fees to charity through the England Football Foundation, but there is no rule stipulating they have to.
Right-back Lucy Bronze is one of the Lionesses most decorated and high-profile players, having represented Chelsea, Manchester City, Lyon and Barcelona.
But the 33-year-old, the Best Women's Player in 2020, admits she is in the one per cent of female footballers who can live comfortable from their earnings.
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Asked whether she could retire from her football pay packet, Bronze told Sky News in November: "The 1% probably can. If you're smart with your money and live a certain kind of lifestyle, then there's potential.
"I don't live a crazy lifestyle with crazy cars or houses. So I could retire and live on my investments. I've been smart with my money, I've paid off student loans throughout my career."
She added: "I know I've been successful in teams with a lot of money… I'm probably in that top per cent. Probably 99.9% of women's players… you have to think about life after football."
The only manager to get to the final in all major tournaments she has coached in, Wiegman is in line for a hefty bonus and a damehood if she delivers a second piece of silverware in Basel.