Minimum salaries are being introduced for the top 2 tiers of women’s football in England – here’s why that matters

It was only as far back as 1971 when women were allowed to step foot on a football pitch again after a 50-year ban from the FA, so to say the sport has come a long way over the last half-decade would be a bit of an understatement. From record-breaking ticket sales and viewership numbers in the Women’s Super League (WSL) to the 65,000 supporters who showed up to celebrate the Lionesses at their Euro victory parade earlier this summer, women’s football has seen incredible growth over the last couple of years alone.

But there is still more to be done to ensure women’s football keeps growing at this rate – especially when it comes to the resources afforded to players outside of the top teams. And that’s what makes today’s news so important.

This morning, WSL Football – the organisation that oversees the top two leagues of women’s football in England – has announced that minimum salaries for players in the top two tiers (WSL and WSL 2) will be introduced this season to ensure that all players are able to earn a full-time wage from football. Currently, some players in the second tier have to work part-time jobs outside of football to be able to make a living; by allowing players to work full-time as footballers, the minimum salaries will not only support their wellbeing but also give them the opportunity to put all of their energy into their training and recovery. 

While WSL Football has not disclosed what the minimum salary level will be, they have confirmed that the salaries will be based on circumstances like a player’s age, the league they play in and their experience in the game. It’s expected that the salary range, which was decided after consultation with the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), will be revealed later this season when the updated WSL and WSL 2 regulations are published.

Ahead of this season, the company – which is an independent organisation owned by the clubs – has also introduced criteria surrounding the environments clubs have to offer their players.

For example, clubs will be asked to employ someone in a ‘performance wellbeing’ role by the end of this season to ensure all players are supported mentally and physically both on and off the pitch. A new collaboration with the organisation Kyniska Advocacy, which aims to evolve new standards for safeguarding, will also provide a confidential support service for players.

Nike has also extended its Women’s Super League sponsorship deal in a partnership that will see the company provide free boots and goalkeeping gloves to all players in the top two divisions who do not have contracts with other manufacturers in an effort to reduce the costs players have to shoulder.

Previously, clubs were also mandated to provide a women’s health lead and give staff additional training to ensure athletes received proper support and advice in areas ranging from pregnancy and post-natal care to menstrual cycle health and pelvic health.

The 2025-26 WSL season will kick off this Friday with Chelsea v Manchester City at Stamford Bridge; the WSL 2 season will also kick off on Friday with Sheffield United v Sunderland. 

Images: Getty