UEFA Champions League: More Teams, More Money.
Europe’s most prestigious football tournament is getting bigger, richer, and even more digital.
UEFA forecasts €4.4 billion in revenue across its men’s competitions for 2025–26, with 93.5% going directly to the clubs. The new 36-team format adds even more value: each club gets €18.62 million just for qualifying, with additional payouts for every win and up to €25 million for the eventual champion.
UEFA is also betting big on digital innovation, influencer partnerships, event-driven social media, and a new commercial rights deal from 2027.
Globally, the Champions League reaches a massive audience. The final is one of the most-watched annual sporting events; recent editions have attracted around 400–500 million viewers across TV and streaming platforms.
In fact, in 2023, the final was estimated to reach about half a billion people globally.
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