UEFA to distribute euro2.4 billion to Champions League clubs this season

UEFA will distribute almost euro2.4 billion to clubs participating in this season's Champions League, with each of the 36 teams in the main phase guaranteed an initial sum of just over euro18 million, according to documents published by the European football body, cited by AFP. Clubs eliminated in the Champions League play-offs this summer, but who continue the competition in the Europa League, will share a bonus of euro4.2 million. The second European club competition, however, is much less profitable, with a total prize fund of euro565 million. For teams participating in the Champions League, UEFA also applies a payment grid based on results.

• Bonus for qualifying for the higher stages

In addition to the prizes awarded based on the results in the main phase, UEFA offers cumulative bonuses for qualifying for the higher stages of the competition. Clubs receive euro11 million for qualifying for the round of 16, euro12.5 million for the quarter-finals, euro15 million for the semi-finals and euro18.5 million for qualifying for the final. The winner of the competition also receives a bonus of euro6.5 million.

• The "value pillar” brings in another euro853 million

Clubs' income is supplemented by payments under the so-called "value pillar”, for which UEFA has allocated a total of euro853 million. The index used by the European body combines the share of the audiovisual market in the country in which the club is located with the historical coefficient calculated on the basis of the team's performance in European competitions over the past ten years. Under these conditions, the winner of this season's Champions League could reach total revenues of almost 110 million euros from the prizes distributed by UEFA.