Mastercard study reveals Champions League income

According to a survey issued by Champions League sponsors Mastercard, the 16 knockout phase qualifiers will be entitled to about EUR 40 million. Manchester United and Real Madrid are just two of the top tier clubs who will reap the benefits of additional perks, with prizes of more than EUR 46 million expected.

Speculation has further suggested that the next winner could receive a staggering EUR 110 million, based on research put forth by a Coventry Business School faculty member. In a recent statement made to Reuters, Professor Simon Chadwick indicated that despite the current economic state, football continues to possess a solid "universal appeal", identifying the competition as a major source of income. This reliable revenue makes a strong contribution to the turnover of the club and keeps these teams safer from the effect of financial downfall.

The revenue is comprised of UEFA participation funding, prize money, a portion of commercial income through UEFA, as well as marketing efforts and ticket sales.

UEFA awards payment of EUR 3 million to a club that qualifies for the UEFA Champions League. An additional 2.4 million is given for participating in the Group stage, with a group stage win pays EUR 600,000 and a draw pays EUR 300,000. The first knockout phase grants a EUR 2.2 million bonus, with a side qualifying for the knockout phase will secure around EUR 9.4 million in total prize monies. EUR 2.5 million is granted for each quarter-finalist, while each semi-finalist will get additional EUR 3 million. A bonus of EUR 4 million is paid for the runners-up and additional EUR 7 million is paid to the winners.

Depending on the commercial success of the tournament, UEFA will make additional payments to group stage clubs, which the MasterCard report suggests could amount to approximately GBP 9.5 million per team.

The clubs generates also ticket revenues from the group stage in an average of EUR 8.55 million, and commercial and marketing revenues accounting for a further EUR 6 million.

24.7 percent of Champions League income is derived as market pool payment from qualifying through the group stage, while 24.4 percent is UEFA prize money. 22.3 percent is ticket revenues, 15.6 percent is commercial and marketing revenues, with 13 percent is contributed to increases in player value.