The winner of the next Champions League could collect about 200 million euros

The financial stakes for the Champions League are set to soar to unprecedented heights next season, with the champion poised to secure a staggering 200 million euros.

This eye-watering sum is the result of UEFA's revamped revenue distribution scheme, which integrates various sources of income including participation bonuses, performance-based payments, market pool shares, historical ranking contributions, and ticket sales revenue.

The 2024/25 season marks the debut of the Champions League's new format, which expands the competition to include 36 teams, up from the current 32. This overhaul will replace the traditional group stage format previously consisting of eight groups of four—with a single league format where all 36 teams compete in one group.

Under this new system, the top eight teams will automatically qualify for the knockout stages, while the next 16 teams, finishing ninth to twenty-fourth, will enter a playoff round to secure a spot in the round of 16. Teams that do not make the cut will be eliminated from the competition.

According to "La Gazzetta dello Sport," the financial rewards for participating teams will see a significant increase in the new three-year cycle from 2024/25 to 2026/27. The entry prize for each team is expected to rise to approximately 20 million euros, up from the current 15.6 million euros. However, adjustments will be made to the distribution of prize money for match outcomes; the amount awarded for each win will decrease from 2.8 million euros to 2.1 million euros, and for each draw from 900 thousand euros to 700 thousand euros.

Advancement in the competition will also see increased rewards, with qualification for the round of 16 jumping from 9.6 million euros to 11 million euros, and reaching the quarter-finals will now bring in 12.5 million euros, compared to the previous 10.6 million euros.

Over the course of the specified three-year period, the total funds allocated to the market pool (tied to television viewership) and historical club rankings will approximate 850 million euros, marking a decrease of 50 million euros from the current allocation. Conversely, UEFA plans to allocate 670 million euros for participation prizes (an increase of 170 million euros) and 950 million euros for rewarding sporting achievements (up by 350 million euros).

Amidst these financial adjustments within UEFA's premier club competition, the Super League—an embryonic rival tournament—has lodged a demand for compensation from UEFA amounting to 3.5 billion euros. This claim arises from grievances related to UEFA's interventions, which the Super League organizers argue have hindered the development of their proposed competition. This development underscores the ongoing tensions and financial battles within the landscape of European football, as clubs and organizers navigate the complexities of competition formats, revenue distribution, and the broader implications for the sport's future.

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