The 2024/25 Champions League final, set for Saturday, May 31, pits Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) against Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena in Munich, with far more at stake than the coveted European trophy. The tournament, distributing €2.45 billion in prize money, awards the champion €25 million, with potential earnings reaching €98.92 million for a perfect campaign. Broadcast globally, the event draws millions of viewers and generates massive financial stakes, cementing the Champions League as the world’s most lucrative club competition. The clash between the French and Italian sides promises intensity, as both chase glory and substantial rewards.
The revamped competition format, featuring 36 clubs in the league phase, has increased matches and prize opportunities. Each participating team secured at least €18.62 million for joining the initial stage. The UEFA, the tournament’s organizer, boosted prize money by 23% compared to the previous season, reflecting the commercial growth of European football.
Key figures highlight the financial scale of the competition:
- Total prize pool: €2.45 billion (R$15.7 billion).
- Prize per league phase win: €2.1 million.
- Bonus for reaching the round of 16: €11 million.
- Champion’s reward: €25 million.
New format boosts earnings
The 2024/25 season introduced a revamped Champions League structure, replacing the traditional group stage with a 36-team league phase. Each club plays eight matches against opponents from different pots, creating more high-profile clashes early on. UEFA designed the financial distribution to reward performance from the qualifying playoffs through to the final.
Clubs advancing directly to the round of 16, such as the top eight in the league phase, earned an extra €2 million, while those progressing via playoffs secured €1 million. The knockout stages, with two-legged ties until the semifinals, progressively increase payouts, culminating in €18.5 million for the runner-up and €25 million for the winner.
The 23% prize money increase stems from UEFA’s new commercial cycle, projecting €4.4 billion in revenue for club competitions from 2024 to 2027. This growth primarily benefits elite clubs but also boosts earnings for smaller teams facing giants in the expanded league phase.
Detailed prize breakdown
The Champions League prize structure comprises three main components: fixed participation fees, performance-based rewards, and commercial variables like broadcast rights and historical coefficients. Below are the fixed amounts per stage:
- League phase participation: €18.62 million.
- League phase win: €2.1 million.
- League phase draw: €700,000.
- Round of 16: €11 million.
- Quarterfinals: €12.5 million.
- Semifinals: €15 million.
- Runner-up: €18.5 million.
- Champion: €25 million.
Beyond these amounts, clubs receive bonuses for cumulative performance and additional shares based on their UEFA ranking and their country’s TV market. These figures, finalized at season’s end, can significantly boost total earnings.
PSG and Inter: paths to the final
Paris Saint-Germain reached the final with a strong campaign, driven by players like Gonçalo Ramos and Vitinha, who shone in the league phase. The French club, still seeking its first Champions League title, overcame Bayern Munich and Manchester City in the knockout rounds, accumulating wins that bolstered its prize haul.
Inter Milan, banking on the expertise of Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram, aims for a fourth Champions League trophy. The Italians defeated Barcelona in the semifinals, showcasing defensive solidity and attacking efficiency. Both clubs have already secured €18.5 million as finalists, with the winner adding €6.5 million for the title.
Comparison with other competitions
The Champions League stands as the most lucrative club tournament globally, far surpassing other competitions. For context:
- Libertadores 2024: the champion earns roughly R$190 million.
- Europa League 2024/25: the winner receives €13 million.
- Premier League 2023/24: the champion collects about €200 million in prizes and TV rights.
This financial gap reflects the Champions League’s global reach, attracting sponsors like Heineken, PlayStation, and Mastercard, and billions of viewers. The Munich final, broadcast in Brazil by SBT and TNT Sports, underscores the tournament’s commercial dominance.
League phase: the financial starting line
The league phase, held from September 2024 to January 2025, kicked off the prize distribution. Each of the 36 clubs received €18.62 million for participation, with €2.1 million per win and €700,000 per draw. Clubs like Liverpool, which topped the league phase, amassed €56.22 million in fixed and performance-based prizes alone.
High-profile league phase matches, such as PSG vs. Arsenal and Inter vs. Real Madrid, drove massive viewership, boosting TV revenue shares. UEFA also allocated €30 million to clubs in the qualifying playoffs, ensuring even early eliminees received some financial compensation.
Economic boost for finalists
The Champions League final offers more than just prize money for PSG and Inter Milan. Both clubs gain global exposure, directly impacting sponsorship deals and licensed merchandise sales. PSG, backed by brands like Nike and Qatar Airways, and Inter, partnered with Lenovo and Paramount+, stand to capitalize on their visibility.
Tickets for the final, priced between €60 and €690, sold out quickly, generating additional revenue for UEFA and the Allianz Arena. Munich itself benefits from tourism, with hotels and restaurants reporting high demand during the final weekend.
Factors shaping earnings
The total earnings for PSG and Inter hinge on more than just match results. Key variables include:
- UEFA coefficient: clubs with stronger 10-year records receive larger shares.
- TV market: countries with bigger audiences, like England and Germany, yield higher payouts.
- Popularity: teams with large fanbases attract more commercial revenue.
- League phase ranking: the top eight clubs earn an extra €2 million.
These elements create a strategic financial distribution, favoring clubs with historical and commercial clout, like the two finalists.
Evolution of prize money
Champions League prizes have skyrocketed over the decades. In 2000, the champion earned about €10 million, compared to today’s €25 million for the title alone. This growth mirrors the rising value of European football, fueled by global broadcast deals and sponsorships.
In the 2022/23 season, champions Manchester City earned €85.14 million, while this season’s winner could reach €98.92 million with a flawless campaign. UEFA projects €4.4 billion in revenue by 2027, signaling continued financial growth.
Munich final highlights
The Allianz Arena final brings unique elements to the 2024/25 edition:
- Iconic venue: the stadium previously hosted finals in 2012 and 2019.
- Global broadcast: over 200 countries will air the match live.
- Expected attendance: around 74,000 fans will fill the arena.
- Officiating: the final will use VAR and a seasoned European referee.
- Entertainment: the opening ceremony features live musical performances.
The PSG vs. Inter Milan showdown caps the 2024/25 Champions League, which began in September with 36 clubs and culminates in one of the world’s most-watched sporting events.