CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
How much prize money do clubs get for qualifying for the Champions League final?
With finance so important to a club’s success, what economic reward is on offer as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich chase a final spot?
The UEFA Champions League is considered the most prestigious club competition in European soccer, and the greatest in the world, with clubs across the continent in a mad scramble to qualify each season for both on and off-field reasons. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund are the teams who have most significantly boosted their coffers for their performances in this season’s tournament, and there is, of course, another financial reward for reaching the final, which will be played at Wembley Stadium in London on 1 June.
Prestige and prize money the name of the UCL game
On the one hand, everyone wants to be in with a chance - realistic or not - of being crowed European champions, a relatively exclusive club given the number of teams that have tried and failed to do so.
On the other, the prize money on offer, which has steadily increased with time, is a huge draw. In recent years, the race to finish in the “top four” in leagues such as the Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A has garnered almost as much media attention as the battle for the title itself. Qualifying for the Champions League has become essential as competing clubs look to stay one step ahead of - or at least keep pace with - their rivals.
How much is qualification for the group stage worth?
Every club that qualifies for the group stage is handed €15.64 million ($16.77 million), while they have the chance to add to that figure once they get there. As well as three points, €2.8 million ($3 million) is the prize for winning a match in the group stage, with one point and €930,000 ($997,335) on offer for a draw.
The cash prize for reaching different knockout rounds increases the deeper clubs go in the tournament. Those who reached the current round of this year’s tournament, the semi-finals, bagged an additional €12.5 million ($13.41 million).
How much do teams get for reaching the Champions League final?
For some, that’s as much as they’ll get, while two clubs will see their bank balances boosted further for getting to the final. Borussia Dortmund lined their pockets to the tune of €15.5 million ($16.62 million) thanks to Tuesday’s semi-final victory over Paris Saint-Germain, the same figure either Madrid or Bayern will earn for emerging victorious at the Bernabéu on Wednesday.
2023-24 UEFA Champions League prize money and total purse
| Round reached / performance bonus | Prize money |
|---|---|
| Play-off round | €5 million ($5.79 million) |
| Group stage participation | €15.64 million ($16.77 million) |
| Group stage victory | €2.8 million ($3 million) |
| Group stage draw | €930,000 ($997,335) |
| Round of 16 | €9.6 million ($10.3 million) |
| Quarter-finals | €10.6 million ($11.37 million) |
| Semi-finals | €12.5 million ($13.41 million) |
| Runners-up | €15.5 million ($16.62 million) |
| Winners | €20 million ($21.45 million) |
The total purse for the tournament is €2.03 billion ($2.18 billion), the same as last year. The maximum a team could earn from winning the competition is €85.14 million ($91.28 million), which would depend on them winning all six of their group stage games.
Last year’s winners, Manchester City, picked up around €80 million ($85.79 million), missing out on the top amount because of group-stage draws against Dortmund and Copenhagen. Real Madrid could scoop the maximum prize this year after winning their group with a perfect record.