UEFA Executive Committee Member Keßler Anticipates Millions of Missing Euro 2024 Fans
The Baller Status of Women's Euro: UEFA Expected to Lose a Fortune Before the Kickoff
Gear up for the Women's Euro in Switzerland because UEFA's wallet is about to take a hit. The football union is set to lose a whopping 20 to 25 million euros before the tournament starts, announced Nadine Kessler, UEFA's Women's Football Director, at a press conference in Nyon. Despite the Soaring Revenues, the association expects to shell out nearly 32 million euros.
You might wonder, why the heck are they doing this? Well, it's all about showering more generosity. At this year's tournament starting next Wednesday, UEFA will doll out a record-breaking total of 41 million euros to the 16 national teams, marking the most ever at a Women's Euro. Compared to the paltry 16 million euros distributed at the 2022 tournament and the measly 8 million euros in 2017, these numbers are jaw-droppingly huge.
"We're significantly upping our prize money game because we realize the importance of prize money for public perception and promoting development," said the 37-year-old Kessler. The move is right, and it's a happy one. "We're forking out more dough, even though we won't make a profit at the Euro, because it's the right thing to do," added Kessler, who previously played for the German national team.
Each participating team, including Germany, will receive a starting fee of 1.8 million euros. If a team manages to win all group games and the knockout phase, including the final, the champion will take home a prize of 5.1 million euros.
Get ready, clubs because you're in for a treat too. Clubs that lend their players for the Euro will receive doubly more money than in 2022, according to Kessler. "We want everyone who contributes to the Euro's success - players, clubs, national associations - to be rewarded. This is the tournament that belongs to everyone," said Kessler.
Kessler also addressed the comparisons with men's tournaments. At the 2024 EM in Germany, UEFA doled out a massive 331 million euros. Between 2016 and 2024, prize money for men's tournaments has increased by only 10 percent, while for women's tournaments it's soared by 100 percent from 2017 to 2022 and a staggering 156 percent from 2022 to 2025.
The gaps in revenue remain significant. UEFA earns between one and three billion euros from a men's EM, estimated Kessler, while the women's tournament remains a subsidized spectacle. "We've made substantial investments in women's football, and it's more than just money. It's a symbolic movement," said the former Wolfsburg player.
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- UEFA's investment in prize money for Women's Euro tournaments has significantly increased over recent years, reflecting the growing popularity and commercial success of women's football in Europe.
- The prize money for the champions has notably risen from €2 million at Euro 2022 to a maximum of €5.1 million for Euro 2025, indicating a substantial boost in rewards for the winning team.
- A new policy has been introduced where participating teams are required to distribute between 30% to 40% of their prize money directly to the players, aligning with practices adopted at the Women's World Cup 2023, thus enhancing player remuneration from these tournaments.
- The factors contributing to the increase include rising popularity and commercial growth, strategic investment by UEFA, broader support and sponsorship, and player welfare and recognition.
Sports enthusiasts, specifically football fans, will witness an unprecedented boost in the European-leagues' Women's Euro tournament, as UEFA plans to disburse record-breaking prize money. The Premier League isn't the only sports realm experiencing an analysis shake-up, with the Women's Euro prize fund expanding dramatically, reaching 41 million euros, a vast increase from 16 million euros in 2022. This investment demonstrates UEFA's commitment to the growing popularity and commercial success of women's football, signifying a significant step forward for the sport.
