As the roar fades from the Lionesses’ historic back-to-back UEFA Women’s EURO titles, attention now turns to the next phase of the women’s game.
That begins with ensuring club football receives the recognition it deserves for developing the players who power success on the international stage.
European Club Association (ECA) successfully secured a record €9 million in compensation for clubs releasing players to national teams during the tournament in Switzerland. Originally set at €6 million, the total was increased following an ECA proposal, with €3 million reallocated from the men’s club benefits cycle, ensuring clubs are fairly rewarded for the crucial role they play in international football.
This marks a significant step up from the €4.5 million distributed at the UEFA Women's EURO 2022 and represents the largest-ever Club Benefits Programme in women’s football.
ECA’s push for increased distributions reflects a growing recognition that clubs are the bedrock of the international game. Our Member Clubs invest in players’ development, performance and well-being all year-round, and deserve fair compensation when those players are called up for national duty.
How Does Player Compensation Work?
Under the enhanced program, clubs receive €985 per player, per day — covering ten preparation days, each day the player is involved in the tournament, plus one travel day. The minimum payment per player for group-stage elimination is €19,700, rising to €36,445 for those reaching the final.
Pro rata payments are made if a player is transferred or replaced during the tournament.
Clubs Driving the Game Forward
The women’s Club Benefits Programme was only introduced for the first time in 2022. In just one tournament cycle, ECA has doubled the available funding, underlying our commitment to safeguarding the interests of Member Clubs and recognising their central role in driving the women’s game forward.
With UEFA investing €1 billion into women’s football development between 2024 and 2030, this enhanced benefits package helps build a more sustainable model where both club and country thrive.
As fans look back on a record-breaking summer in Switzerland, home to the highest ever attended UEFA Women’s EURO, the rapid growth of the women’s game has never been clearer.
That success isn’t accidental. Through our strategic partnership with UEFA, ECA has played a central role in ensuring clubs are recognised, rewarded and placed at the heart of the women’s football ecosystem, driving sustainable growth at all levels of the game. For more information about the Club Benefits Programme, take a look here.