Champions League 2025/26 will have €2.45 billion in prize money distributed by UEFA to clubs
The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League will distribute an impressive €2.45 billion (R$15.7 billion) in prize money, reinforcing its position as the most lucrative competition in world football. The amounts will be allocated from the playoffs through to the final, rewarding performance at every stage.
Guaranteed participation bonus
According to Jovem Pan, each of the 36 clubs in the league stage will receive a fixed €18.62 million (R$117 million) simply for qualifying. From there, every result has a financial impact:
- Win in the league stage: €2.1M (R$13.26M)
- Draw: €700K (R$4.1M)
Prize money by knockout stage
Clubs that progress will see their revenue grow substantially:
- Round of 16: €11M (R$69.44M)
- Quarterfinals: €12.5M (R$72.6M)
- Semifinals: €15M (R$94.7M)
- Runner-up: €18.5M (R$116.79M)
- Champion: €25M (R$157.83M)
Maximum potential earnings
A club that wins every single match in the competition could earn up to €98.92M (R$637M), combining participation fees, stage progression, and the champion’s prize. Beyond prestige, the Champions League thus represents a crucial revenue source that can transform clubs’ financial power.
Financial impact on clubs
The distribution model strengthens competition, pushing clubs to invest in deeper and more competitive squads. For many teams, the Champions League revenue is essential to balance financial fair play demands while maintaining elite-level squads.
Draw for the 2025/26 edition
The official draw for the league stage will take place this Thursday (28), at 1 p.m. (Brasília time), defining the path for the 36 teams chasing glory and a share of UEFA’s record prize pool.
