UEFA has underlined its commitment to the growth of women’s football by distributing a record 9m euros (£7.9m) to clubs across Europe following Women’s Euro 2025, doubling the amount paid out after the previous tournament.
A total of 103 clubs from 16 national associations benefited from the club payments programme, which compensates teams for releasing players to represent their countries. The scheme reflects the increasing scale and commercial value of the women’s game, as well as Uefa’s attempt to strengthen cooperation between club and international football.
English clubs were among the biggest beneficiaries, receiving a combined 2.37m euros (£2.1m). Women’s Super League champions Chelsea and runners-up Arsenal led the way, pocketing a combined 870,525 euros (£762,000). Chelsea earned around £405,000, while Arsenal received approximately £357,000, highlighting the heavy contribution both clubs made to national teams during the tournament.
Manchester City (£280,000), Manchester United (£236,000), Everton (£136,000) and Leicester City (£115,000) also received significant sums, with six English clubs taking home more than £100,000 each.
The payments were calculated based on the number of days players were released, including a 10-day preparation period, the total days spent at the tournament, and one travel day. Clubs received a daily rate of 1,095 euros (£958.61) per player, reflecting a more structured and transparent system than in previous editions.
Across Europe, Spain’s Barcelona topped the list with payments of around £497,000 after supplying a large contingent of players. Bayern Munich (£408,000) and Juventus (£363,000) followed, completing the top three, while clubs from France and Germany also featured prominently.
Overall, teams from England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain shared 79% of the total benefits pot, amounting to roughly £6.2m. The concentration of payments reflects the dominance of these leagues in producing elite-level players, but it also raises questions about the financial gap between the strongest domestic competitions and those still developing.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said the payments were about more than compensation. “As women’s football continues to grow and thrive, we want everyone to share in its success,” he said. “The club benefits programme reflects the vital role that clubs play in developing the players who made Women’s Euro 2025 such a groundbreaking and memorable tournament.”
Ceferin added that the scheme represents an investment in the future of the game, designed to reinforce collaboration between clubs and national associations rather than create tension over player release.
European Football Clubs chair Nasser Al-Khelaifi echoed those sentiments, describing club benefits programmes as a “key pillar” of the strategic partnership with Uefa. He stressed that closer alignment between clubs and national teams is essential to sustaining the sport’s rapid growth.
Despite the progress, the figures also highlight the disparity between the men’s and women’s games. For comparison, UEFA distributed 223m euros (£195m) to 901 clubs following Men’s Euro 2024, covering player releases not only for the tournament itself but also for Nations League fixtures and European qualifiers. Daily rates for men’s clubs ranged from 3,395 to 10,187 euros (£2,970–£8,918), far exceeding the women’s equivalent.
Still, the doubling of payments since 2022 signals a clear upward trajectory. As women’s football continues to attract larger audiences, sponsorships and broadcast deals, UEFA’s expanded club compensation scheme is seen as a crucial step in ensuring that the foundations of the game — the clubs — are properly rewarded for their role in developing international stars.
