UEFA has introduced a series of changes ahead to the dispute of the Champions League 2025/26. In addition to specific modifications to the format and schedules, there has also been a variation in one of the aspects that attracts the most attention among clubs: the economic rewards for participation in the tournament.
In this sense, UEFA has announced that it will distribute up to €2,470 million among the 36 participating teams, both for the sporting results obtained and for the value pillar. This system distributes part of the income of the Champions League according to the commercial and media impact of the event, rewarding past sporting performance and the historical relevance and popularity of each team.
Economic distribution of the Champions League 2025/26
Now, how much money could FC Barcelona and the other 35 clubs that play in this competition earn? In principle, each team is guaranteed 18.6 million euros simply for participating.
From this, in terms of the results added throughout the tournament, the prizes have been established as follows:
- 2.1 'kilos' per victory (previously 2.8)
- 700,000 euros per draw (previously 900,000)
Likewise, the final place in the league phase will also influence the amount that each team will receive, with remuneration ranging between €700,000 and €10 million. In this section, it should be noted that all clubs will be rewarded under this concept, from the first to the last in the qualifying table.
UEFA economic rewards: from qualifying for the round of 16 to the final
Once the team secures its place among the 16 qualified for the round of 16, the reward will be 11 million euros (previously 9.6). From that moment on, with each stage that it surpasses, it will add increasingly juicy rewards, distributed as follows:
- Quarterfinals: €12.5 million (previously 10.6)
- Semifinals: €15 million (previously 12.5)
- Final: €18.5 million (previously 15.5)
- Champion: €25 million (previously 20)
A journey from the league phase to the final could mean an injection of more than 100 'kilos' only in prizes from UEFA. This consolidates this aspect as one of the great attractions of the competition for the teams
The European Super Cup also increased its prizes
Beyond the sporting and economic appeal of winning the UEFA Champions League, the teams will also get good use of getting their place in the European Super Cup. At the financial level, the remuneration has increased: each team receives €4 million for participating (previously 3.5), and if they manage to win the title, they will receive €5 million (previously 4.5). Without a doubt, another element that increases the attractiveness of playing this tournament for the big European teams.