UEFA has officially confirmed the financial distribution model for the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League, with almost €2.5 billion set to be shared among the 36 clubs competing in the second season of the tournament’s new league-phase format.
The total prize pool will be distributed through a combination of participation fees, performance bonuses, knockout-stage rewards and UEFA’s “value pillar” system, which blends broadcast market value with club historical coefficients.
How the revenue will be distributed
UEFA will allocate approximately €2.437 billion to participating clubs through three main categories:
- 27.5% (€670 million): Participation fees
- 37.5% (€914 million): Match results and progression bonuses
- 35% (€853 million): Value Pillar (broadcast market value and UEFA club coefficient)
An additional €30 million will be reserved for clubs competing in the qualifying play-offs.
Every club guaranteed €18.62 million
Each of the 36 clubs reaching the league phase will receive a guaranteed €18.62 million participation payment.
The amount consists of:
- €17.87 million paid in advance
- €750,000 paid as a final balance
This payment is identical for every qualified club before any sporting bonuses are added.
Match performance bonuses
UEFA will continue rewarding clubs for results during the league phase:
- Win: €2.1 million
- Draw: €700,000
Unused draw payments will be redistributed among clubs according to their final league-phase standings.
League ranking bonuses
Additional payments will be awarded based on the final league table.
UEFA will divide a dedicated bonus pool into 666 equal shares, with each share initially worth around €275,000.
- The club finishing 36th receives one share.
- Each higher position earns one additional share.
- The league-phase winner receives 36 shares.
On top of that:
- Clubs finishing 1st to 8th receive an additional €2 million.
- Clubs finishing 9th to 16th receive an extra €1 million.
Knockout-stage rewards
Qualification bonuses increase significantly as clubs advance through the tournament:
- Knockout play-offs: €1 million
- Round of 16: €11 million
- Quarter-finals: €12.5 million
- Semi-finals: €15 million
- Finalists: €18.5 million
- Champions: €6.5 million
Both UEFA Super Cup participants will also receive €4 million, while the winner earns an additional €1 million.
Value Pillar remains a key revenue driver
UEFA will again distribute €853 million through its Value Pillar model.
The system consists of two components:
- 73% based on European broadcast market value
- 27% based on non-European media rights
Payments are determined by combining:
- the commercial value of each club’s domestic television market,
- UEFA club coefficients,
- recent European competition performances.
The non-European allocation is calculated using each participating club’s historical UEFA ranking over the past decade.
One of the richest competitions in world sport
Following the introduction of the expanded 36-team format, the UEFA Champions League continues to strengthen its financial position. With nearly €2.5 billion set to be distributed during the 2026/27 season, the competition remains one of the most lucrative tournaments in global sports, where both sporting success and commercial value play a decisive role in clubs’ overall earnings.