Find out the UEFA Champions League prize money breakdown per round and how much the winners get.
The UEFA Champions League is often regarded as the most prestigious club soccer tournament in the world as a result of the pedigree of the competing teams.
Over the years, the Champions League has not failed to live up to the hype with an impressive style of play and a big surprise by small teams against some of the powerhouses on the continent.
That said, the UEFA Champions League has also continued to increase its prize money for participating teams, especially since the newly revamped format.
For teams, being part of the UEFA Champions League will be more lucrative and profitable. But why the sudden increase in prize money?
Well before we head for the breakdown, the newly introduced format beginning with the 2024/25 campaign, UEFA has increased the prize money pool to €2.437 billion ($2.71bn/£2.06bn).
This was done to enable the 36 teams who are competing in the new format to earn a considerable amount of money throughout their participation in the competition.
The new format begins with the league phase, which consists of over 32 teams.
UEFA Champions League prize money 2024/2025 per round
League-phase draws - €700k
League-phase wins - €2.1m
Reaching knockout round playoff - €1m
Round of 16 - €11m
Quarterfinalists - €12.5m
Semifinalists - €15m
Runner-up - €18.5m
Winner - €25m
A further breakdown shows the prize money based on performance is around 37.5% (€914m) of the overall UEFA Champions League money pool.
The establishment of the format, which featured a league phase, took up to 35%. The remaining 27.5% of the money pool is an equal share that would be divided between the competing (36) clubs in the UCL league phase.
The UEFA Champions League participants are set to benefit more from the prize money from this season onwards, as there would be a ranking bonus calculated on the final ranking of each team during the league phase.
The league phase ranking bonus is valued at €275,000. The team that finishes on the 36th spot on the final standings will receive the solitary share and the team on 35th position will be given two shares and the rest of the teams in accordance until the club at the top of the standings will be awarded 36 shares.
The initial payment of €700,000 for every game will increase the value of the shares that teams would receive.
Value pillar (35% of total)
The next phase in the UCL money distribution chain is known as the value pillar, which is around 35% of the total and amounts to €853m of the prize pool. This phase combines payment from individual clubs' coefficients and money generated from broadcast deals.
As important as it is, the value pillar is divided into the European part and the non-European part.
In simple terms, this payment is based on media rights sales within the markets of UEFA members nations and markets outside the union or overseas based deals.
Detailed explanation for the various parts
European part
The UEFA countries in the current campaign are ranked based on contributions from their domestic broadcast partners to UCL media revenue.
At the same time, participating teams from those countries will be ranked based on performances in UEFA competitions on a five-year basis.
UEFA will also utilise the five-year UEFA coefficient with the average placement of participating teams across the two ranking systems to rank them one to 36.
In our earlier mention of the league ranking bonus, the European part will be divided into 666 shares and shared amongst the participating teams from 36th upwards.
The other non-European part also utilises a share system where shares are distributed to each team with the adoption of the UEFA 10-year coefficient and will not include the bonus points for titles that were included in the 2021-24 cycle that was calculated by UEFA.
Equal shares—starting fee (27.5% of total)
The remaining part of the UEFA Champions League prize money is known as the equal share. It is the final section that is worth €670m.
Here, the 36 clubs that qualify for the league phase could receive up to €18.62m, which is divided into a down payment of €17.87m and a €750,000 balance, according to UEFA.
Who are UCL title contenders this season?
Liverpool FC
The Reds under Arne Slot have grown into an unstoppable force both in English and European football. The club has enjoyed a high level of consistency in all competitions.
Statistics show that Liverpool FC earned seven wins from eight games and recorded 21 points in the league phase. The Reds are one of the clear favourites to lift the title.
FC Barcelona
Hansi Flick Barcelona's team is the second most in-form team in the UEFA Champions League this season. Barcelona has already won a trophy this season following the triumph over Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick is not new to this stage, as he has won the competition with Bayern Munich in the past.
Flick is leading a young team in Europe this season with a level of consistency.
Inter Milan
The next team on the list is Inter Milan, who are another team to watch. The Italian Serie A giants won six games and registered 19 points in the league phase.
Inter Milan had a good run throughout the league phase and remained in contention for the title. They were runners-up two seasons ago.
Real Madrid
Inasmuch as the Los Blancos started poorly and would require the playoffs for a place in the round of 16, they are one of the clear favourites this season.
Real Madrid are the most successful team and the defending champions of the competition. The Los Blancos face an uphill task in their bid to defend their crown.
Atletico Madrid
Not to forget that Diego Simeone has assembled a trophy-winning team that is consistently grinding results in the domestic scene.
In Europe, Atletico Madrid could manage six wins in the league phase and recorded 19 points.
Arsenal FC
Premier League outfit Arsenal FC is the next impressive team throughout the league phase. The Gunners, despite their inconsistency, managed to get the results and qualified automatically for the next round.