April 23, 2025 — The official European Aquatics Instagram page announced big news: prize money for European water polo clubs is going up for 2025/2026. But the women’s water polo prize money disparityremains impossible to ignore.
€125,000 for the men’s Champions League winner vs. €20,000 for the women’s. A difference of more than six times.
We could’ve said a lot on our @waterpolo__updates instagram page, but this time, it felt more important to act as a platform — a space where top female water polo players, past and present, could speak for themselves.
Each of the players below responded to two questions we asked:
As a top player competing (or who has competed) at the highest level, how does this disparity make you feel?
What message would you send to the organizations and sponsors who still don’t treat women’s water polo with the same value as the men’s game?
We’re beyond grateful to the athletes who took the time to respond — and to everyone in the community who supports this page.
We weren’t surprised to receive long, powerful messages — because women in water polo have plentyto say. They just rarely get the microphone. So now, we hand it over to them.
Women’s Water Polo Prize Money Disparity: What the Players Say
Sofia Giustini, CN Sabadell and Italy National Team member, Olympian//Champions League winner:
Sofia Giustini – CN Sabadell player, Champions league winner
“They talk a lot about equality between males and females, and this is the result: if we females win the Champions League, the prize pool is €20,000, while the males’ is up to €125,000. How can we talk about EQUALITY? By doing this, women’s water polo will die. To think that, with this sport (which is, in all respects, our job) and what we earn, we have to have a plan B to live because it doesn’t allow us to have a future, while males can afford to live through water polo. It’s truly humiliating for us, who are professional water polo players in every way.
I would like to say that if we don’t start making progress in women’s sport in general, but especially in women’s water polo, this sport, after LA, may not even exist anymore.
To think that so many people stop playing at 22 because they have to study in order to start working and really earn money to safeguard their future… and males earn six times more than us. Why? We also train every day like them—actually, certainly more—and yet the economic difference that exists is embarrassing and humiliating. Is it because we are not male that we can’t earn more? And why? Where is the equality? Why does no one do anything?”
Natasa Rybanska, Alimos and Hungarian National Team member, Olympian:
“First, let me be clear about one thing: I do understand that the gender that generates significantly more revenue is going to get significantly more money. It would basically be unfair to men if we, women, received the same amount of money while we generate far less.
But the question is, did women REALLY generate 86% LESS revenue? If not, European Aquatics and the people responsible should be held accountable. WHY is the women’s prize money 86% LESS? Too many times in water polo, accountability among the people in the highest positions just doesn’t exist. Although everyone sees that things are wrong, no one is brave enough or cares enough to call it out. And if they do, they don’t get ANY response anyway. Issues that would be unacceptable in other sports are ignored in ours. The people who point out the unfairness or wrongs happening often face more consequences than the people responsible. And in this way, water polo—both men’s and women’s—will never get the recognition it deserves.
On the other hand, the amount of coverage and advertisement that men’s sports get in comparison to women’s (not only in water polo) is also unfair, as is the fact that the advertisement has been perfected and developed to promote men, not women. In my opinion, women don’t only get less; it’s done wrong. We try to promote women’s sports in the same way we promote men’s, although they are not the same. But that still doesn’t mean one is better than the other. The game is different, the players are different, the stories are different! We try to compare the two, and by doing so, we kill the beauty and uniqueness that lies in the difference.”
Vivian Sevenich – Olympic Bronze Medalist, GZC Donk player
Vivian Sevenich, GZC Donk and Dutch National Team player, Olympic Bronze Medalist ’24:
“If you look at how they proudly presented this news on social media yesterday and still don’t see the problem… you know they just don’t take women’s water polo seriously, and they just don’t care about women’s water polo at all or how this makes us feel. It’s 2025, and we are still getting ignored, while women’s water polo is bigger and better than ever! It feels like a very bad joke, but I’m afraid it isn’t. This is reality and the way LEN/Euro Aquatics works.
Huge shoutout to all the passionate, hard-working, and exceptionally skilled women’s water polo players who sacrifice everything to play at this level, despite not getting rewarded and recognized as they deserve. We rock!
I know change doesn’t happen overnight, but we would like to see some progress, at least to show us that they respect us and understand that we work just as hard (or maybe even harder) as the men’s teams. It would have been a great signal from Euro Aquatics to make the first move and raise the prize money for the women’s Champions League to show us they actually care and understand the problem. It’s about making progress, acknowledging the problem, and looking for solutions instead of just ignoring the situation as it is.”
Xristina Siouti, SFP Olympiacos and Greek National Team player:
“Honestly, it’s frustrating. We train just as hard, sacrifice just as much, and represent our country with the same passion and pride. Yet, we’re constantly reminded that our efforts are valued less—whether it’s through lower funding, less media coverage, or fewer sponsorships. It feels like we have to win medals just to be seen, while others are supported simply for showing up. That kind of disparity wears you down, but it also fuels our fight to change things.
You’re missing out. Women’s water polo is full of incredible talent, fierce competition, and stories that inspire. Supporting us isn’t just about fairness—it’s a smart investment in the future of the sport. We’ve already proven what we can achieve, often with limited resources. Imagine what we could do with real backing. It’s time to stop treating women’s sports as an afterthought. Give us the platform we deserve, and watch how far we’ll go.”
Keszthelyi Rita, CN Sabadell and Hungarian National Team player, Olympic Bronze Medalist:
“Every day I see women training their ass off to be the best and to win.
In recent years, I’ve had the fortune to get to know some of the best players in the world. Everyone is dedicated and passionate about what they do — and I’m certain there’s no difference between men’s and women’s motivation.
This situation is deeply disrespectful — to us as athletes, and to the clubs as well.
The message I would send is this: How would you feel if you had a son and a daughter, and they were treated differently purely because of their gender? If you saw your daughter give everything — working hard, sacrificing, pushing herself — and still not getting the same opportunity as your son simply because she’s a woman?
This isn’t just about money. It’s about appreciation, respect, and equality — for the women athletes and for the clubs that work every day to keep women’s water polo alive.”
Abby Andrews, SFP Olympiacos and Australian National Team member, Olympic Silver Medalist ’24:
“I think this disparity shows how Europe continuously falls behind when regarding gender parity and equality. While I understand viewership and the different audiences attracted regarding men’s and women’s water polo, to value the female game at only 16% of the men’s is outrageous and unjust. Men’s water polo consists of exciting tournament set ups, locations, insane highlight reels online, enormous contracts and salaries, multiple fan accounts and solid media coverage. This split in viewership is actually promoted by the accounts that seek to help promote our sport in general. Instead of promoting the sport as a whole, viewers are forced to buy either the men’s champions league pack or the heavily discounted women’s pack instead of being able to watch and cover both which would help promote the sport to general fanatics even more.
Additionally the coverage by leading water polo media sites is extremely skewed and seek to only demonstrate key performances, statistics and advertise the male game and transfers, whilst rarely, if at all, posting any updates on the female game. When asked why this was, “budget cuts” was quoted and of course, the female game is the first and only to suffer.
I come from a country where the female game attracts equal if not more attention from fans and the country due to our strong results and the way we have tried to share our stories through our social media platforms. This exposure has highlighted to me that people will follow sport regardless of gender if they have a keen interest in your results and who and what you represent. Additionally, even in Europe, my clubs fan base show up for both the men’s and women’s games in equal numbers and enthusiasm which demonstrates that the interest in both the men’s and women’s game is there.
Whilst water polo has historically been a male dominated sport, the interest for women’s water polo has been increasing, and the skill level continues to soar in our game, but reducing all media coverage, forcing fans to choose between male or female viewership, never highlighting female athletes and their abilities on social media, and creating different leagues and set ups for the women has continued to widen the gap in European Water Polo and ultimately drives sponsors and fans away from the women’s game.”
Izabella Chiappini, SIS Roma and Brazil National Team Member:
“It’s exhausting. We give everything to this sport, and still get treated like we’re worth less. It’s not even about being exactly equal to the men — it’s about having something. A bit of visibility, respect, and investment.
You say we don’t bring numbers, but you’ve never really tried. Promote us, support us, and you’ll see the impact. You can’t expect growth where you refuse to invest. We’re not asking for favours, we’re asking for fairness.”
Noelia Mora, CN Barcelona women’s HC // 3x Champions League winner, Euro Cup winner:
“This difference seems to me very sad and embarrassing, because especially in the last 13 years, women’s water polo has had a huge progression, has taken much more strength and is much more competitive and the hours invested and effort is exactly the same as the male.
It is more than demonstrated that women’s water polo is a rising value, betting on it is equal success. We will continue working, giving value to what we do, to what we like… now what we have to change are many things out of the pool…”
Sabrina van der Sloot, GZC Donk and Dutch National Team Captain, Olympic Bronze Medalist ’24:
Sabrina van der Sloot, player of the GZC Donk/Tino Henschel/HenschelMedia
“Well, I’m disappointed. I understand that we have fewer teams competing, so maybe the prize money is not as high as for the men’s. But this difference is outrageous. Clubs are paying to play CL and organising F4. With this prize money you can’t even earn this spend money back. It really is not providing anything for women’s teams other than the feeling we are severely less valued than men teams.
They should step up their game. Now, they should acknowledge that women are treated differently than men in this sport. They do the same as all the clubs, pay less, than they pay the men’s teams. We are putting the same hard work and effort into it, but don’t get the recognition for it. And it’s not because nobody wants to sponsor women’s sport or broadcast it, it is because the people with the real power are not making women’s sport an equal priority.”
Laura Aarts, CN Sabadell and Dutch National Team member, Olympic Bronze Medalist ’24:
“It’s disappointing, frustrating and painful to see. Women’s water polo has grown tremendously the past years, and in Paris we proved how exciting and high-level our game is. This prize gap doesn’t reflect that. We should be treaded more equal than the numbers suggest. That’s why female athletes must keep standing together for change!
I think I can speak for all women’s water polo players when I say: if we want real change, we need more women in leadership. Or maybe it’s time for the men with so-called ‘big balls’ to show their courage not just in their careers, but also in the fight for gender equality.”
Nona Perez, CN Sant Andreu and Spanish National Team member, Olympic Champion ’24, Champions League winner:
“The inequality is clear and goes far beyond just the numbers shown in prize money. The gap between what is allocated to men’s water polo compared to women’s is enormous, and it reflects a lack of real commitment to our sport. It’s not about constantly comparing — both men and women deserve the same respect and recognition for our work. But when resources, attention, and opportunities are only directed to one side, inequality becomes systemic.
Prize money is just the visible part of the problem. Behind it, there’s a lack of planning when it comes to hosting events, poor media visibility, limited broadcasting of our matches, and in general, much less investment in women’s water polo. All of this directly impacts our ability to grow as a sport and as professional athletes. When the 10th place men’s team earns the same as the women’s Champions League winner, it’s a clear sign that something is not being done right.
I’d say it’s time for a real and brave commitment to women’s water polo. We’re not asking for more than the men — but certainly not less. All we ask for is equal recognition, because our effort and dedication are just as great. We train just as hard, compete with the same intensity, and give everything for our sport.
If we’re not given the same value, it’s impossible to create the same impact. Visibility and financial support not only acknowledge our work, but are also essential to inspire future generations, grow the women’s game, and reach real equality.
It’s like bike lanes — if they don’t exist, people won’t ride bikes. It’s not a matter of will or ability, it’s about creating the right conditions. The same goes for women’s water polo: if there’s no investment, no promotion, no broadcasting… we can’t grow, even though the talent and level are absolutely there.”
Mia Rycraw, SFP Olympiacos and French National Team member, Olympian ’24:
“Seeing such a huge pay gap isn’t the most motivating thing ever. I’m disappointed, and unfortunately not surprised. There shouldn’t be a fight between the men’s and women’s sides either. The issues lie within the respective governing bodies, infrastructure, and other entities that are related to women’s water polo as a whole. (This includes Instagram pages dedicated to Champions League water polo & professional water polo)
These issues that we’re dealing with aren’t new. We’ve done enough talking. We need to see some action here. The moment is now. Πάμε!
We already know that men’s and women’s water polo players are putting in similar time and effort into the game, training, etc. If we continue down this road of minimal coverage and unequal pay it shouldn’t be a surprise when top level women’s athletes take on second jobs, or even retire from the sport completely due to financial stress. The payoff just isn’t there.
It’s 2025 and we have the conditions to really boost women’s water polo globally. The Champions League is a great stage for us women to showcase our talent in this game, but we need to be properly supported moving forward. Water polo might not have the biggest community, but we will be stronger if we work together.
More should be done regarding the treatment of Women’s Water Polo as a whole. Solution based strategies need to be implemented in order for actual change to take place. Here is a list of things that can be considered:
1. Equal Prize Money and Salaries in Leagues and Tournament.
• Mandate equal pay in national leagues and international tournaments.
• Follow models like tennis (e.g., Wimbledon) where prize money is equal for men and women.
2. Increased Investment in Women’s Water Polo
• Federations and clubs should allocate more resources to women’s programs.
• Offer sponsorship incentives to companies that invest in women’s teams.
3. Media Coverage and Visibility
• Boost broadcasting of women’s games on TV and streaming platforms.
• Promote storytelling and athlete branding to build fan bases and increase marketability.
4. Corporate Sponsorship and Endorsements
• Encourage equal opportunities for endorsements.
• Develop partnerships with brands committed to gender equity in sports.
5. Government and Federation Policy Changes
• Introduce regulations or funding criteria that require gender equity in pay.
• Provide tax incentives or grants to federations and leagues that meet equity standards.
6. Unionization and Collective Bargaining
• Support player associations that can negotiate contracts collectively.
• Include gender equity as a core principle in collective bargaining agreements.
7. Youth Development and Pipeline Equity
• Invest equally in youth and development programs for girls and boys.
• Provide pathways for female players to advance into professional ranks.
8. Data Transparency and Public Accountability
• Require public reporting of salaries, bonuses, and sponsorship deals.
• Use data to highlight disparities and track progress.
I believe that this an exciting time for all of us who love water polo. The game itself is constantly evolving and I believe it’s time for the collective mindset to follow suit. Value deepens where you choose to stay and invest.”
