What is Champions League qualification worth financially to Chelsea? And how does it compare to Europa League?

Chelsea are still battling away for Champions League qualification, currently in sixth place having struggled for form over recent weeks, winning just two of their last five league games. Enzo Maresca’s men need to get a handle on their poor form if they want to make it into Europe’s premier competition, and that must start on Sunday when they face rivals Fulham, who are also battling for European qualification in the final games of the season.

The good news for Chelsea is that they now know they can finish fifth and win Champions League football thanks to England being guaranteed an extra spot through coefficient rankings, and as things stand, the Blues are just one point behind Manchester City in fifth. They are also within three points of Nottingham Forest in fourth and Nottingham Forest in third at time of writing.

What is Champions League football worth to Chelsea?

Firstly, we will break down what Premier League prize money is available to Chelsea based on the Champions League spots. Should the Blues finish in third, they would win £50.7million in prize money, while fourth is worth £47.9million and fifth £45.1million.

As for the Champions League itself, this season’s allocation of prize money for teams who qualified for the league phase was £15.96million per club. That figure will vary a little due to the fact it is a 27.5% share of Champions League profits split between the 36 qualifying clubs.

On top of that, clubs who qualify can look forward to around £1.8million per win in the league phase, with eight chances to pick up wins, while around £600,000 is given out per draw. There is then an additional award for every progression through the subsequent rounds for teams who progress through the competition.

What is Europa League football worth to Chelsea?

Chelsea would have to finish sixth or seventh to qualify for the Europa League, and we know that the prize money for sixth place will be around £42.2m. For seventh, the prize money last season was £39.4million.

As for the Europa League itself, the reward for making the league stage is significantly less than the Champions League. The reward is £3.6million, and each win at that stage is worth £379,201, with each draw worth £126,400. As with the Champions League, further rewards are then handed out for each level of progression through the competition.

What is the difference between Champions League and Europa League qualification financially?

Financially speak, there are a few variables because of the difference in Premier League prize money per position. Here is the breakdown per position and qualification status. These figures are based on qualification only and not any subsequent league stage wins. Figures are based on last season’s Premier League prize money and the current season’s European awards.

Premier League 3rd and Champions League qualification - £66.6million

Premier League 4th and Champions League qualification - £63.86million

Premier League 5th and Champions League qualification - £61.06million

Premier League 6th and Europa League qualification - £45.8million

Premier League 7th and Europa League qualification - £43million

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