Champions League Prize Money: How much Arsenal will receive if win or lose v Real Madrid

Arsenal face Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League quarter final tonight with a place in the semi finals at stake, as well as a sizeable amount of prize money.

In a somewhat unexpected turn of events, Mikel Arteta’s men go to the Bernabeu as favourites after securing a 3-0 win in front of home support at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg. The Galacticos, who have won the tournament a record 15 times, are eying up ‘remontada’ or ‘comeback’ against Arsenal.

With Liverpool now 13 points ahead in the Premier League title race, the Champions League is the last realistic chance to bring silverware back to the Emirates this season. Paris Saint-Germain await the winner between Arsenal and Real Madrid in the semi finals, as well as a cash injection.

Champions League prize money for the 2024/25 season

The Champions League has unfolded in a new format this season, which has also brought with it increased prize money. Any club that makes it into the top European competition is going to bank at least £15.7 million and that’s before any performance or broadcasting bonuses are taken into account, as well as gate money.

As per GiveMeSport, any team reaching the quarter final will bank £10.6 million of prize money. Even if Arsenal throw away their 3-0 lead tonight, those winnings will be wired over to North London.

A place in the semi-final is worth an increased £12.7 million, a significant fee to add to the motivation to progress past the quarter final. A place in the final is then worth almost double that, at £21.1 million.

The Champions League also offers performance related bonuses for competing clubs with each positive result worth more money. GiveMeSport reports that a perfect eight-game winning start would earn a club £14.2 million.

There’s also a £1.7 million bonus for finishing as one of the top eight teams of the group stage and avoiding the knockout play-off round, which was achieved by Arsenal with a third place finish. The sides between ninth and 16th get a bonus of £840,000.

Arsenal share club finances

In February, Arsenal posted club record revenue of £616.6 million but made an overall loss of £17.7 million for the financial year ending May 31, 2024 - as was reported by the BBC. That was helped by a return to the Champions League last season and a run to the quarter finals, which contributed towards a £71.1 million rise in broadcast revenue and a £29.1 million increase in matchday revenue.

The club said: "The club continues to be compliant with all applicable financial sustainability regulations put in place by Uefa and the Premier League.”

Arsenal also reported that ‘wage costs increased significantly’ with an almost 40% rise from £234.8 million to £327.8 million "driven by investment in player wages in both men's and women's teams".

In other news, Ex Real Madrid president confronts 'remontada' saga ahead of Arsenal