City could earn more in Europe next season

28/03/2024 10:31

The format of UEFA's competitions will change next season with more teams taking part and more games being played.   The new distribution formula is complex and not easy to understand, but it does look like another case of 'to him who hath shall be given'.

One very important point is the quiet revolution in the distribution mechanism, as two of the previous elements, namely the TV pool and UEFA coefficient, have been combined into a new "value pillar".

The maximum amount a club could earn in prize money in the Europa Lague, including the participation fee, has increased by €9m (40%) from €24m to €33m. Basically, if a team wants to earn good money in this competition, it needs to go deep, as the money earned in the latter stages is quite high.

In the Conference The maximum amount a club could earn in prize money, including the participation fee, has increased by €3m (20%) from €16m to €19m

Before we estimate what could be earned by a club next season, let's remind ourselves of the income received in 2022/23. The highest amount unsurprisingly went to the eventual winners of the Champions League, namely Manchester City with €135m (£115m).

This comprised participation fee €15.6m, prize money €66.7m, UEFA coefficient €28.4m, TV pool €22.9m and final balance €1.2m.

If City were to repeat this feat in 2024/25, the Swiss Ramble estimates that their earnings would increase by €21m (16%) from €135m to €156m (£134m).  This would be made up of participation fee €18.6m, prize money €92.7m and value pillar €45.1m.

Perhaps the most worrying aspect of the new Champions League revenue distribution is the impact that it will have on competitive balance. The higher income is obviously great news for those who secure qualification, but the gap to those who do not have a place in Europe's premier tournament will only widen.