The recent eliminations of Arsenal and Manchester City from the Champions League quarter-finals have left both clubs facing a substantial loss in prize money, with an estimated cost of up to €32.5m (£28m) each. In addition to the missed prize money, the clubs will also have foregone additional revenue from ticket sales and merchandise.
The four quarter-final winners, including Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund, have each obtained €12.5m (£10.8m) from UEFA’s prize pool. The finalists are set to make €15.5m each, and the eventual winners will receive another €4.5m (£3.9m). The financial impact of the Champions League exit is undoubtedly significant for both Arsenal and Manchester City.
Last year’s champions, Manchester City, still managed to make €87m (£75m) from their run to the last eight, while Arsenal banked €74m (£63.8m). The disappointing exits of Liverpool and West Ham from the Europa League further highlight the financial implications for English clubs in continental competitions. Aston Villa remains the only Premier League team in the Conference League, facing Greek giants Olympiakos in the last four.
Manchester United, following a dismal Champions League campaign that ended in the group stage, made €48m (£41.4m). Newcastle’s earnings were comparatively lower at €25m (£21.5m) due to their lower coefficient. Liverpool and West Ham made €14.6m (£12.6m) and €13.8m (£11.9m) respectively from their Europa League endeavors. Brighton, making their Europa League debut, received €10.9m (£9.4m). Aston Villa earned €10.4m (£9m) due to the minimal prize money of the Conference League.
Looking ahead, Manchester City will face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final, aiming to recover after their loss to Real Madrid. However, the participation of Erling Haaland is uncertain following a midweek injury. Meanwhile, Arsenal will face Wolves in the Premier League, with a potential win propelling them to the summit. However, their lacklustre exit to Bayern Munich has drawn significant criticism.
In conclusion, the financial implications of the Champions League exit are not only a blow to the prestige of both clubs but also to their bank balances. This serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in top-tier European football. If you are interested, you can join our new WhatsApp community to receive daily Mirror Football content, special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you wish to leave our community, you can opt out at any time. For more information on how we handle your data, you can read our Privacy Notice.