UEFA's Money League: Rich get richer

The current Champions League structure disproportionately benefits elite clubs, exacerbating financial disparities within the sport. Seven of the top eight clubs in the 2024-25 'Money League,' compiled by the Swiss Ramble, are among the highest revenue earners. Notably, five of these dominant clubs compete in the English Premier League, highlighting a significant financial concentration.

UEFA's revenue distribution model, comprising participation fees, prize money, and the 'value pillar,' is designed to reinforce this trend. The 'value pillar,' in particular, a payout based on market value and historical performance coefficients, significantly boosts the earnings of established European giants. This system creates a 'virtuous cycle,' where existing wealth facilitates greater future earnings.

While all 36 participating clubs receive a base participation fee of €18.6 million, prize money is awarded for wins, draws, and final league standings. Arsenal, for instance, earned €40.6 million in prize money alone due to a perfect league phase record. However, even this impressive sum ranks them fourth in total estimated revenue, demonstrating the overwhelming impact of the value pillar.

Manchester City is projected to receive the largest payout, estimated at €45.4 million, followed by Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Arsenal. Conversely, smaller market clubs like Slavia Prague and Kairat Almaty received substantially less, with some earning under €10 million from the value pillar alone. This disparity underscores how the system is engineered to favor established aristocracy in European football.