This is how much LGFA players can earn with the AFLW in Australia

After a tantalising season of LGFA and GAA football, many fans can't wait for the next chapter to begin but many of their favourite players may not be taking to the pitch. Over the years several Irish players have been recruited by the AFL and AFLW in Australia to play Aussie Rules. Today's top videos With the sport being a paid profession, it has been hard for many Irish players to pass up on the chance to play a sport that is similar to our own and can provide a living. So what is the salary like? Paris McCarthy in action for the Swans. Pic:As of 2026, 46 female players have packed their bags and headed down under for a chance to play with different teams in different states. 10 new players from Ireland have been recruited for the 2026 campaign which include Mayo's Saoirse Lally (St Kilda), Meath's Mary-Kate Lynch (Sydney Swans), Kerry's Emma Dineen (Essendon), Cork duo Aoife Healy (Fremantle) and Hannah Looney (Hawthorn), Waterford's Emma Murray (Geelong), Cavan's Ellie Brady (Collingwood), Tyrone's Aoife Horisk (Melbourne), Antrim's Ana Mulholland (Richmond) and Tipperary's Caitlin Kennedy (Brisbane Lions). In 2022 a television rights deal was signed, worth 3 billion euro, set to begin in 2025 and running until 2031 making the Australian Football League a multi-million dollar industry. As of 2026, some of the top players earn over a million euro. Orlagh Lally playing for the Dockers. Pic: Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty Images There remains a significant pay gap between AFLW players and their male AFL counterparts. AFLW players earn just under €50,000 on average, while male AFL players can earn approximately €290,000. However, the financial position of female players has improved considerably in recent years. Before 2023, AFLW players earned around €25,750, but a new agreement reached with the AFL Players' Association (AFLPA) resulted in a substantial increase in player payments. Despite this progress, the considerable difference between male and female salaries highlights the continuing financial inequality within the sport. Aimee Mackin. Pic: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images While the men negotiate their salaries in private, women are part of a four-tiered payment system, where only a certain number of players on the team can earn a certain amount. The four tiers break down as the following: Tier 1: 2 players per team — €68,150 Tier 2: 6 players per team — €55,600 Tier 3: 6 players per team — €47,250 Tier 4: 16 players per team — €41,820 However, those moving over to Australia are given a fee of over €9000 and flights home and back including two family members are covered. Ireland's Erika O'Shea and Sarah Rowe. Pic: James Wiltshire/AFL Photos The bottom line is that while our players may get paid to play in Australia, the gender pay gap is still a talking point with AFL players earning approximately 83 per cent more than AFLW...just something to think about.