The UEFA Champions League has increased revenues for participating clubs thanks to its new format. In total, the tournament distributes 400 million euros more in prizes compared to the 2023-24 season. However, Real Madrid may see the possibility of cashing in on the top European club competition vanish if, ultimately, Carlo Ancelotti's team fails to surpass the 'play-off' that grants access to the round of 16.
So far, 'La Casa Blanca' has earned a total of 37,270,000 million euros after finishing the league phase in 11th place, resulting from 5 wins and 3 losses (15 points). UEFA pays €2.1M for each victory, in addition to €18.6M for participating in the league phase. Madrid also received €7.5M for finishing eleventh and another million extra for participating in the 'play-off'. However, the 'merengues' risk losing €11 million net if they are eliminated before the round of 16.
Madrid awaits their opponent in Friday's draw, with Celtic and Manchester City being the teams they could face after finishing 11th in the overall table. The whites are crossing their fingers to face the Scots, as City has 2 wins and 2 draws in their last encounters against the Madrid team. The Spaniards, however, will have the chance to close the tie at home, a key factor for this type of knockout rounds.
Barça Earns €17M More Than Madrid in This Champions League
FC Barcelona, on the other hand, has already secured an excellent haul after finishing the league phase as the second-placed team. Only Liverpool (56,220,000M€) surpasses the Blaugrana's earnings, which total 54,545,000M€. Both culés and 'reds' have already secured the €11 'million' corresponding to the clubs that will compete in the round of 16, along with Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atlético de Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, LOSC Lille, and Aston Villa.
The earnings of Barça break down as follows: €18.6M fixed for participating in the league phase, plus another €2M for finishing within the TOP-8 and the aforementioned €11M corresponding to qualifying for the round of 16. Additionally, the team earned €12.6M for their six victories in the group stage (€2.1M per win) and another €700,000 for the draw against Atalanta. In total, the Blaugrana team earned €7.5M more than Madrid in the league phase, an amount that could rise to €17.5M if the whites are eliminated in the 'play-off'.
Spanish Clubs' Earnings in the Champions League 24-25
- FC Barcelona: 54,545,000M€.
- Atlético de Madrid: 53,020,000M€.
- Real Madrid: 37,270,000M€.
- Girona: 21,820,000M€.