Wrexham are in the Championship – But what do championship footballers earn and what is their taxation?
My beloved Wrexham FC start the Championship season tomorrow. Our first campaign at that level since 1982 and the first in my long time watching the team up and down the country. My alarm is set for 4.15 in the morning ready to make the long trip to Southampton.
But as an accountant I cant help asking myself what exactly do footballers at this level typically earn and what might their taxation burden be?
According to recent data from the Global Sports Salary Survey and clubs’ financial filings:
The average weekly wage in the Championship is estimated to be around £8,000 to £10,000, equating to roughly £400,000 to £500,000 annually.
However, wages vary dramatically. A player at a recently relegated club (with parachute payments) may earn £30k per week, while others in lower-budget teams can be on £1,000 to £2,000 per week.
Despite being a “dream job”, it comes with instability and short career spans. That’s why financial planning and tax awareness are absolutely critical. Many players are on short-term contracts, and injury or loss of form can mean a career ends early.
The Tax Burden;
Footballers are taxed as PAYE employees but because of their earnings, they fall squarely into the 45% additional rate tax band. Here’s how it typically breaks down:
Income Tax: 20% basic, 40% higher, and 45% on earnings above £125,140 as well as the loss of the personal threshold between £100k and £125k earnings.
Agent Fees: Players often pay 5–10% of their earnings to agents, but who pays the tax on this can be complex. If the club pays the agent on the player’s behalf, it could be deemed a taxable benefit in kind.
Bonuses & Benefits: Promotion bonuses, goal bonuses, or club-provided accommodation may also carry tax implications.
Therefore a player earning the average £10,000 per week would likely face annual income tax of £287,386 and National Insurance of £12,411 leaving a take home pay of £287,386
A player perhaps from a recent Premier League club on say £30,000 per week would face Income tax of £688,203 and NI of £33,211 for a take home pay of £838,586
Big numbers, but where Wrexham are concerned they are worth every penny after their back 2 back 2 back promotions!!
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