HMRC scores tax windfall from Lionesses’ Euro 2025 prize money

The Lionesses’ historic Euro 2025 victory is set to deliver a significant windfall not just for the players, but also for the UK taxman, with HMRC expected to receive £788,900 from the team’s prize money, according to analysis by tax and advisory firm Blick Rothenberg.

Each player is expected to receive an average bonus of £73,000, which pushes their earnings above the £125,140 threshold where the highest effective marginal tax rate of 47% applies. That means players could be paying around £34,300 each in combined income tax and National Insurance Contributions (NIC), according to Robert Salter, Director at Blick Rothenberg.

“The Lionesses will be delighted with their win at Euro 2025 for what it represents and the hard work that went into it,” Salter said. “But they will have a hefty tax bill to pay to HMRC on their prize money.”

Salter noted that although the Lionesses still earn less than their male counterparts, their tournament bonuses are substantial enough to trigger the UK’s top tax bracket. The 47% figure comprises 45% income tax and 2% employee NIC.

In addition to the tax paid by players, the Football Association (FA) is also expected to face a £255,000 liability in employer NIC on the prize bonuses, further increasing HMRC’s overall take from the team’s success.

And the revenue doesn’t stop there. Many of the Lionesses are expected to earn significantly more in the coming months from sponsorship deals, marketing campaigns, and media appearances, all of which are subject to income tax. Salter said these post-tournament earnings, especially image rights and appearance fees, will continue to drive up the players’ taxable income — and with it, HMRC’s share.

“Their earnings are likely to increase significantly over the coming months, given their success and the ongoing growth in the profile of the Women’s game,” Salter added. “HMRC will be getting even more tax ‘wins’ in the future.”

While the Lionesses’ on-pitch victory has been widely celebrated across the country, their financial success off the pitch is proving to be a win for the Treasury as well — a reminder that even sporting triumphs come with a tax bill.