When it comes to playing for your country, most footballers will tell you there’s no greater honor.
But for England’s women’s squad heading to Euro 2025 in Switzerland, representing their nation comes with an unexpected personal cost — helping their families afford to watch them play.
Soaring Swiss Prices Put Pressure on Players and Families
Switzerland is famous for its scenic landscapes, high standards of living — and sky-high prices.
With Zurich, Geneva, Basel, and Bern all ranking among the top 10 most expensive cities in the world, hosting a major football tournament there was always going to come at a hefty price.
Just to put it into perspective, even something as simple as a pint of milk can cost up to £1.67.
Now, with the European Championship kicking off next month, players are facing the challenge of making sure their loved ones can be in the stands, without breaking the bank.
England Players Step Up to Help Their Families Attend
On Wednesday, it was confirmed that England’s squad members are personally contributing to help cover the travel and accommodation costs for their families.
The Football Association (FA) is offering financial support similar to what was provided for both the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and previous men’s tournaments.
But with prices in Switzerland so steep, many players are voluntarily topping that up from their own savings.
England’s tournament base will be in Zurich, where they’ll play two of their three group matches.
The final group game, against Wales, will be held in St. Gallen — thankfully, just an hour away by bus, meaning they’ll avoid the extra cost of booking another hotel.
What It Could Cost to Support a Player in Person
According to figures from She Kicks, a football publication dedicated to the women’s game, a round-trip flight for two people between London and Zurich could cost around £270 — that’s £150 to fly out on July 1, and £120 to return on July 13, the day the group stage ends.
However, hotel costs are the real budget-busters.
Staying in Zurich for the entire group stage (July 2–13) could range between £1,000 and £1,300 for a single room.
And that doesn’t even include food, transport, or match tickets.
If England makes it past the group stage — as fans hope they will — families could be in for even more expenses as they follow the team deeper into the tournament.
Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone Speak Openly About the Costs
Midfielder Georgia Stanway acknowledged just how expensive things are in Switzerland:
“Even just for flights, hotels, the cost of living there is extremely high, so we understand the demand it is on fans.”
She added that many players are doing what they can:
“A lot of us are putting our hands in our pockets to make sure our families can get over there.”
Teammate Ella Toone echoed the sentiment, emphasizing how important it is for their families to be part of the experience:
“I know that I’ll always help my family be out there and make memories with us.”
A Beautiful Game That Comes With a Price Tag
As England prepares to defend their title in a tough Group D, which includes France, the Netherlands, and Wales, the focus will soon shift to football — but for now, the players are juggling match prep with making sure their loved ones can cheer them on in person.
It’s a reminder that behind the glory of the game are real-life sacrifices, even for top-level athletes.
And in Switzerland, those sacrifices come with a pretty steep bill.