Hannah Hampton's name is on everyone's lips as a leading contender for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. The goalkeeper's phenomenal year, crowned by saving England in a dramatic Euro 2025 final penalty shootout, has cemented her status as a national sporting icon. Her journey from a striker in Spain to the world's best goalkeeper is a tale of talent, transformation, and now, significant financial reward following the Lionesses' historic victory.
From Birmingham to Ballon d'Or: The Making of a Goalkeeping Star
Hannah Hampton's footballing education began unconventionally. Born in Birmingham, she moved to Spain at just five years old and spent five formative years in the youth academy of La Liga side Villarreal CF. Interestingly, she initially played as a striker. It was only after returning to England and joining Stoke City that she made the pivotal switch to goalkeeper.
Her professional breakthrough came at Birmingham City, where she signed her first pro contract at 18 in 2018, swiftly earning the club's Young Player of the Season award. A move to Aston Villa in 2021 on a free transfer proved crucial, providing a platform in the Women's Super League that led to consistent England call-ups. Her career then skyrocketed upon joining Chelsea in 2023.
A Historic Season of Team and Personal Triumph
The 2024-25 season was nothing short of legendary for Hampton. As Chelsea's first-choice keeper, she was instrumental in the club achieving an unprecedented domestic treble – winning the Women's Super League, the FA Cup, and the League Cup. Chelsea made history by becoming the first WSL side to navigate a 22-game league season unbeaten.
Hampton's individual contribution was staggering, keeping 13 clean sheets in those 22 matches to earn a share of the WSL Golden Glove award. This domestic dominance seamlessly translated to the international stage at Euro 2025. Stepping up as England's number one, she became a national hero by saving two penalties in the final shootout against Spain to defend the European title.
Global Accolades and a Lucrative Lionesses Payday
The recognition of her world-class status came swiftly after the tournament. Hampton was awarded the prestigious Ballon d'Or prize for goalkeepers and was also named The FIFA Best Women's Goalkeeper, officially anointing her as the finest in the world.
This success also translated into substantial financial rewards. For triumphing at Euro 2025, Hampton and each of her teammates received an estimated £73,000 bonus from a record £1.7 million Football Association pot. On top of this, each squad member earned roughly £87,000 as a share of UEFA's prize money, bringing her direct tournament earnings to approximately £160,000.
Like all senior England players, she is also entitled to a match fee of around £2,000 per appearance, a symbol of the equalised pay structure with the men's team, though these fees are often donated to charity. Financial experts now suggest Hampton's wealth could multiply into the millions through imminent brand endorsements and sponsorship deals, following the path of other sports superstars after defining tournament wins.
From her debut for England in a clean-sheet performance against Spain in the 2022 Arnold Clark Cup to lifting the Euros trophy and the Ballon d'Or, Hannah Hampton's ascent has been meteoric. As the SPOTY ceremony approaches, her story stands as a powerful testament to skill, resilience, and the soaring status of women's football.
