Nepali Football Player Salary: Monthly Pay & Earnings

Football is one of the most popular sports in Nepal, and its fan base is growing every year. Because of this popularity, many people want to know about Nepali football player salary, including monthly pay and total earnings. Young players and parents often wonder whether football can be a stable career option in Nepal. In general, a football player’s income depends on league level, experience, club contracts, and national team selection. While beginner players earn a basic monthly salary, top footballers can make higher income through match fees, bonuses, and sponsorship deals.

Table of Contents

• Football Structure in Nepal
• Role of All Nepal Football Association (ANFA)
• Division Leagues
• Nepal National Team System
• Salary of Nepali Football Players
• A Division League Player Salary
• B Division & C Division Salary Comparison
• Salary of New vs Experienced Players
• Nepal Super League (NSL) Auction Prices
• Category A Players
• Category B & C Players
• Marquee Players
• Nepal National Team Salary & Match Fees
• International Match Fees
• Training Allowances
• Tournament Bonuses (SAFF & AFC Competitions)
• Additional Income Sources of Nepali Footballers
• Brand Endorsements & Sponsorships
• Departmental Team Jobs (Army, Police, APF)
• Social Media & Promotional Income
• Highest Paid Football Players in Nepal
• Top Earning Players in Nepal
• Nepali Players Playing Abroad
• Factors That Affect Football Player Salary in Nepal
• Experience & Performance
• Club Reputation & Popularity
• National Team Selection & Achievements
• Salary Comparison with Other Sports in Nepal
• Football vs Cricket Salary
• Football vs Volleyball & Other Sports
• Conclusion

Football Structure in Nepal

Role of All Nepal Football Association (ANFA)

The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) is the main organization that manages football in Nepal. It organizes domestic leagues, selects players for the national team, and makes rules for competitions. ANFA also manages tournament participation and handles coordination with international football bodies. Because ANFA controls official leagues and national team selection, it directly affects Nepali football player salary and match payments. Players who play in ANFA-recognized leagues usually get better salary opportunities than those who play in unofficial tournaments.

Division Leagues

Nepal’s domestic football system has three levels: A Division, B Division, and C Division. The A Division League is the top level and provides the highest salaries for players. B Division and C Division leagues give chances to new and developing players, but their salaries are lower compared to A Division. Promotion and relegation also affect player income. When a club is promoted to A Division, players can get higher contracts. However, if a team is relegated, player salaries may decrease due to lower club budgets.

Nepal National Team System

The Nepal national football team selects the best-performing players from domestic leagues. Being chosen for the national team increases a player’s reputation and income. National team players receive match fees, training allowances, and bonuses during international tournaments. Selection in the national team also increases the chance of playing in foreign leagues, where football player salaries are usually higher than in Nepal.

Salary of Nepali Football Players

A Division League Player Salary

In Nepal, A Division League players earn the highest salary among domestic leagues. On average, an A Division football player earns between NPR 30,000 to NPR 80,000 per month. The exact salary depends on the player’s experience, performance, and the club’s budget. Star players and Nepal national team members may earn even more through special contracts and performance bonuses. In addition to monthly salary, some clubs also provide extra benefits like accommodation, meals, and other facilities. This makes A Division the most attractive league for professional football players in Nepal.

B Division & C Division Salary Comparison

Players in B Division usually earn between NPR 15,000 to NPR 40,000 per month. The salary is lower than A Division, but it still offers a good platform for developing players. In C Division, many players receive match allowances or small payments instead of a fixed monthly salary. Although the income is less in these leagues, they give young footballers the chance to improve their skills and gain recognition for future opportunities.

Salary of New vs Experienced Players

New football players in Nepal usually start with lower salaries because they are still building their careers. As they gain experience and perform well in matches, their value increases. Experienced players can negotiate better contracts and higher monthly pay. Senior players, key performers, and team captains often earn almost double compared to beginners. In Nepali football, consistent performance and experience play a big role in increasing salary and career growth.

Nepal Super League (NSL) Auction Prices

The Nepal Super League (NSL) follows a draft and auction system where players are signed for one season with a fixed contract amount. Unlike the A Division League, where players receive monthly salaries, NSL payments are made season-wise. The final contract value depends on the player category, demand during the auction, and the franchise’s budget. Because of sponsorship and media coverage, NSL salaries are often higher than regular domestic league payments.

Category A Players

Category A players are the top domestic footballers, including national team members and well-known A Division players. In recent NSL seasons, their base price has generally ranged between NPR 200,000 to NPR 400,000 per season. However, during competitive bidding, some players have earned more than the base price depending on their performance record and popularity.

Category B & C Players

Category B players usually have base prices between NPR 100,000 to NPR 200,000 per season. Category C players typically start from around NPR 50,000 to NPR 100,000 per season. The final salary depends on how teams bid during the auction. If multiple franchises show interest in a player, the contract amount can increase beyond the base price.

Marquee Players

Each NSL franchise selects one marquee player, who is usually the most experienced or popular footballer in the squad. Marquee contracts are negotiated separately and can go beyond regular category limits. In many cases, marquee players earn NPR 500,000 or more per season, depending on their reputation, fan base, and past achievements.

Nepal National Team Salary & Match Fees

International Match Fees

When a player is selected for the Nepal national football team, they receive money for every international match they play. This is called a match fee. On average, Nepal national team players earn around NPR 20,000 to NPR 50,000 per match. The exact amount depends on the type of tournament, the importance of the match, and the football budget available. Friendly matches may pay less, while big tournaments may pay more. If the team wins or performs well, players can also receive extra winning bonuses. These match fees are an important part of the total player salary at the national level.

Training Allowances

Before international tournaments, players join national training camps. During this time, they receive daily allowances. This money is given to cover food, accommodation, travel, and small personal expenses. The daily allowance is not very high, but it still adds extra income during the camp period. If the training camp runs for several weeks, the total amount can become meaningful for players.

Tournament Bonuses (SAFF & AFC Competitions)

In big tournaments like the SAFF Championship or AFC competitions, players can earn additional bonuses. If Nepal wins matches, reaches the semi-finals, or qualifies for the final, players often receive extra cash rewards. These bonuses are given based on team performance. In some successful tournaments, bonus payments can significantly increase a player’s yearly earnings. That is why playing for the national team is not only an honor but also financially beneficial.

Additional Income Sources of Nepali Footballers

Brand Endorsements & Sponsorships

Many football players in Nepal earn extra money by promoting brands. For example, a sports brand, shoe company, or local business may pay a player to wear their products or talk about them. Players can appear in advertisements, posters, or social media posts. Sometimes they are invited to events to represent a brand. When a player becomes more popular, more companies want to work with them. Because of this, sponsorship money can become an important part of their total salary and earnings, and it can increase their yearly income.

Departmental Team Jobs (Army, Police, APF)

Some Nepali footballers play for teams like Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and APF. These teams also give players a government job. This means players receive a fixed monthly government salary along with their football payments. They also get extra benefits like allowances and long-term job security. Since they earn from both football and their government job, they have two sources of income. This helps them stay financially secure even after they stop playing football.

Social Media & Promotional Income

Today, many Nepali football players are active on social media. If a player has many followers, brands may pay them to post photos or videos about their products. Players can also earn money by attending events, promoting programs, or appearing in local advertisements. This online and promotional income adds extra money to their regular football salary and increases their total earnings in Nepal.

Highest Paid Football Players in Nepal

Top Earning Players in Nepal

The highest paid football players in Nepal include both men and women who play for the national team and top clubs. In men’s football, players like Kiran Chemjong, Rohit Chand, and Anjan Bista are among the top earners. In women’s football, players like Sabitri Bhandari, Anita Basnet, and Preeti Rai are some of the highest paid female players. They earn money from club salary, national team match fees, bonuses, and sponsorships. Because they are famous and perform well, they earn more than other local players.

Nepali Players Playing Abroad

Some Nepali football players also play in other countries. For example, Rohit Chand and Kiran Chemjong have played in foreign clubs, and Sabitri Bhandari has also played outside Nepal. In countries like India, Maldives, and Indonesia, football salaries are usually higher than in Nepal. Players who play abroad often get better pay, bonuses, and facilities. That is why many players try to get foreign contracts to increase their total earnings.

Factors That Affect Football Player Salary in Nepal

Experience & Performance

A player’s experience and performance play a big role in deciding their salary. If a footballer plays well, scores goals, and performs consistently in matches, their value increases. Clubs are more likely to offer better contracts to players who are reliable and help the team win games. Experienced players usually earn more than beginners because they have proven their skills over time. In simple words, the better a player performs, the higher their salary can become.

Club Reputation & Popularity

The club a player plays for also affects their salary. Big and popular clubs in Nepal usually have more sponsors and bigger budgets. Because of this, they can offer higher salaries to players. Playing for a famous club also increases a player’s popularity. When a player becomes more popular, they may also get more sponsorship and promotion opportunities, which increases their total earnings.

National Team Selection & Achievements

Being selected for the Nepal national team can greatly increase a player’s income. National team players receive match fees, allowances, and tournament bonuses. In addition, international achievements make a player more valuable in the market. When a player performs well in international tournaments, clubs may offer better contracts. National team selection not only brings honor but also helps increase a footballer’s overall salary and career growth.

Salary Comparison with Other Sports in Nepal

Football vs Cricket Salary

In Nepal, cricket players, especially those who play for the national team, usually earn more money than football players. This is because cricket gets more TV coverage, bigger sponsors, and more business support. National cricketers receive match fees, central contracts, and brand endorsement deals, which increase their total income. However, football is also very popular in Nepal. Top A Division players and national team footballers still earn a good salary through club contracts, match fees, and bonuses. So, even though cricket players often earn more overall, Nepali football player salary is still strong at the domestic level.

Football vs Volleyball & Other Sports

When we compare football with volleyball and other sports in Nepal, football players usually earn more, especially in the top leagues. Football has more fans, more sponsors, and better league systems. Because of this, football players have more chances to earn regular salaries and bonuses. Volleyball and other sports are also growing, but football still offers better earning opportunities for professional players in Nepal.

Conclusion

Nepali football player salary depends on the league they play in, their experience, and whether they play for the national team. Players in lower leagues earn less, while A Division and national team players earn more. New players start with low salary, but they can earn more as they play better and gain experience. Top footballers earn from club salary, match fees, bonuses, sponsorships, and sometimes by playing in foreign leagues. As football in Nepal is growing, salary and earning chances are also slowly increasing for both male and female players.