UEFA Announces 2013-14 Champions League Financial Distribution

It’s no secret that European football is wealthier than wealthy, but just how rich a game is it? The Champions League plays host to the continental best every season, and UEFA has announced how much every individual club earned from their respective campaigns.   

As UEFA’s official website revealed, all 32 competing teams shared €904 million between them from the federation’s funding—matching the record set in 2012-13.

The statement revealed exactly how it works, with clubs receiving funding for a number of different factors:

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Each club was entitled to a minimum payment for participation in the competition. Additionally, performance bonuses were paid for every win or draw in the group stage and each knockout round successfully negotiated, while monies from the market pool were divided according to the proportional value of the national television market allocated to each individual club, among other factors.

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Real Madrid took the most pocket money home from UEFA having lifted the trophy, with a staggering €57.4 million going back to the Bernabeu.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

While each club earned a minimum of €12.2 million, progressing further in the tournament means a little financial bonus to go with the feeling of success, per UEFA’s report:

“€3.5m for the last 16, an additional €3.9m for the quarter-finals, €4.9m more for the semis, and €6.5m extra for the final.”

Premier League clubs did rather well out of competing among Europe’s elite, too, with Arsenal’s distribution of €27.2 million the lowest figure for the division.

Elsewhere, Manchester City earned €35.4 million, semi-finalists Chelsea racked up €43.4, while Manchester United took home €44.8 million.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Though Chelsea progressed further than Manchester United, the fact that the Blues lost two games in the group means that they missed out on UEFA’s draw bonus of €0.5 million per game—which United pocketed thanks to two draws and four wins in the group stage.

Belgian champions Anderlecht picked up the lowest sum from UEFA at €12.2 million having lost all but one of their group matches, but even that’s a considerable sum of money.

It’s no surprise that the race for a place in the top four in the Premier League is so fierce, as the prize of European football is truly staggering.

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

With Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal all representing England in next season’s competition, you can expect big spending from all clubs with UEFA’s distribution helping them greatly on the financial fair play front.

Manchester United, however, will have to cope without their guaranteed millions next term. But most importantly, not having the thrill of Champions League football at Old Trafford will make every penny hurt even more.