Off Duty: Georgia Stanway’s Tattoo Journey

Photo Credit: @stanwaygeorgia, @tattoosbyg

We’re diving into Georgia’s tattoo journey, and why having something away from the game matters just as much as the moments we see on the pitch.

Georgia Stanway may be known to most as a back-to-back Euros-winning Lioness and one of England’s most reliable midfield engines, but off the pitch, her creativity takes a completely different direction.

Her love of tattoos is impossible to miss. Her patchwork collection has grown to what she estimates is somewhere between 80 and 100 pieces (you know you’ve hit a milestone when you can’t keep count…). But it’s not just getting inked that she loves. Since moving to Bayern Munich after the 2022 Euros, Stanway has been stepping into the world of tattooing herself, turning a passion into a hobby that genuinely switches her off from football.

Georgia’s tattoo story actually began when she was 18, just after breaking into senior football. Like any teenager trying to look cool and grown-up, she didn’t exactly tell her mum straight away. Unfortunately for her, fellow Lioness and childhood friend Keira Walsh did, and made sure Georgia’s mum found out!

A Move Abroad, a New Life, and Real Independence

After the 2022 Euros, Georgia, like many Lionesses, wanted something different: a new league, a new culture, a new challenge. Moving away from the WSL and settling in Munich wasn’t just a football decision; it was about independence, growth, and figuring out who she was outside the bubble of home.

Recommended by a friend, Georgia found herself at PardonParis, a tattoo studio in Munich, where she met Linus and the rest of the team. She says she ‘clicked with them instantly,’ highlighting just how important it is to have friends outside football. For ballers, the game can feel all-consuming, and while connections with teammates are vital, having a world outside work is just as crucial.

Switching Off by Switching On

Georgia spent eight months practicing the art of tattooing before finally taking the plunge. In the BBC Sport series Out Of Office, she tattooed Linus, marking her first time tattooing on actual skin, no pressure there…

She draws an unexpected but insightful parallel between football and tattooing. In football, perfection doesn’t exist; conditions change, mistakes happen. Tattooing, she says, is the same. You can’t chase perfection, you manage it with focus, logic, and composure. And yes, the adrenaline is comparable. She admits she can’t sleep after giving a tattoo, describing a proper post-match buzz.

For Georgia, tattooing is an escape: a hobby where she must hyperfocus, a space where there isn’t room for anything else, a creative outlet that is truly hers.

Star Clients

Beth Mead's UWCL and 2025 Euro's Win Tattoo (Photo Credit: @tattoosbyg)

Maisie Adams Tattoo for the 2025 Euro's Win (Photo Credit: @stanwaygeorgia)

Georgia hasn’t just been practicing on practice skins. A few brave souls have already trusted her with a needle, including fellow Lioness Beth Mead, who got a tattoo this summer to commemorate two huge milestones: her UWCL win and her Euros win. And honestly? Who better to do it than someone who lived some of those moments alongside her.

Would You Let Georgia Tattoo You?

We see Stanway firing shots from outside the box, leading presses, dictating tempo. But there’s something refreshing about watching her fully switch off into something messy, artistic, imperfect, and fun. It’s all about balance.

And if you ever find yourself in a Munich studio with Georgia Stanway hovering over you with the machine in hand, just remember: she can ping a ball top bins from 30 yards… so her aim is probably fine!