In brief
A new Fifpro survey of over 800 women footballers finds that while the industry is on track to become a $1bn enterprise, many players still earn low wages, sign short‑term deals and suffer psychological strain. Sixty‑nine per cent of respondents cited financial insecurity as a reason to leave, with 46 % pointing to mental‑health pressures. Despite rising visibility and media coverage, only 57 % feel their earnings cover play‑related costs, and 24 % report late payments. The report calls for urgent reforms in contracts, pay, and welfare provisions to match the growing commercial investment.
A global survey carried out by the players’ union Fifpro has exposed a stark contrast between the booming market value of women’s football and the precarious conditions under which most of its athletes work.
Revenue is set to jump to over $1bn by 2027 – 2024 figures put the global market at $581m, making the sport an emerging billion‑dollar industry. Yet, the study shows that 57 % of professional players feel their wages do not cover the costs of playing, and 24 % have experienced late payments over the past two seasons. Only 42 % have access to a pension scheme.
The survey asked players why they might consider leaving football early. 59 % cited financial reasons, while 46 % pointed to psychological stress – a figure that echoes growing awareness of mental‑health issues in the sport, yet appears to go unsupported. 57 % reported struggling with mental health, and half of them received no club or national‑team support.
“Players are now very visible,” said Alex Culvin, head of women’s football at Fifpro. “They are not only expected to be visible, but they are obligated to be visible because of the low income to subsidise the lack of solid income they receive.” She added that many athletes feel isolated in dealing with mental‑health challenges because “clubs and international bodies often fail to provide adequate support.”
Contract lengths remain short, with the average period increasing from about one year in 2017 to 19 months in 2023. However, only two‑thirds of players receive a full 12‑month salary. A significant number are on seven‑ or nine‑month deals, leaving them to work extra months without guaranteed income.
Financial optimism does not equal worker security. While the commercial surge has focused on the top echelons of the game – where wages climbed significantly – the figure shows that cross‑region salaries still lag gross domestic product and even national minimum wages.
Targeted regulation can help. Culvin cited maternity regulations introduced in 2021, which have reduced the percentage of players citing family as a reason to leave from almost 50 % in 2017 to 19 %. “What we have concluded, which I think is incredibly important, is that targeted regulatory intervention works,” she said.
The report ends by calling for a “wake‑up call” from leagues, clubs and governing bodies. Full commercial success must be matched with safeguards for the very athletes who drive it. Culvin urged that “the industry need not choose between growth and protection – both must go hand in hand.”
