* King Philip II: Commander-in-Chief
* Duke of Medina Sidonia: Commander of the Fleet
* Juan Martínez de Recalde: Vice-Admiral of the Fleet
* Alonso de Leyva: General of the Infantry
* Pedro de Valdés: Admiral of the Galleys
England
* Queen Elizabeth I: Sovereign
* Lord Howard of Effingham: Lord High Admiral of England
* Sir Francis Drake: Vice-Admiral of England
* Sir John Hawkins: Rear-Admiral of England
* Lord Henry Seymour: Lieutenant-General of the Fleet
Other Countries
* Netherlands: Several Dutch ships fought on the English side under the command of Justin of Nassau.
* France: King Henry IV allowed five French privateers to aid the English.