The ultimate prize: What awaits the Champions League winner, PSG or Inter Milan

As the football world holds its breath, the stage is set for the culmination of the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League season. On Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the iconic Allianz Arena in Munich, either Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) or Inter Milan will lift the coveted trophy, etching their name in history. Beyond the glory, the prestige, and the bragging rights, a colossal financial reward awaits the victor, underscoring the immense stakes of Europe's premier club competition.

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The Champions League is not just a battle for sporting supremacy; it's a financial behemoth. UEFA's robust prize money distribution model ensures that participating clubs, especially those who progress deep into the tournament, receive substantial windfalls. For the 2024-2025 season, the figures are impressive, designed to reward consistent performance and ultimately, championship success.

The journey to the final alone has already netted both PSG and Inter Milan tens of millions of euros. Every step, from the initial league phase allocation to victories, draws, and progression through each knockout round, adds to a growing prize fund. Teams automatically receive a significant sum for merely qualifying for the expanded league phase (around €18.62 million). Each win in the league phase is worth €2.1 million, and a draw fetches €700,000. As they advanced, both clubs earned further millions: €11 million for reaching the Round of 16, €12.5 million for the Quarter-finals, and €15 million for the Semi-finals.

However, the truly substantial prize awaits the ultimate winner. The champion of the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League will receive an additional €25 million simply for lifting the trophy. The runner-up, while missing out on the top prize, still secures a considerable €18.5 million for their efforts in reaching the final.

When all these accumulated earnings are tallied, factoring in participation fees, performance bonuses from the league phase, and knockout stage progression, the total revenue for the Champions League winner can reach staggering figures. Reports indicate that the triumphant club – whether it's PSG or Inter Milan – could pocket a grand total nearing €100 to €111 million ($94.4 million to $98.8 million USD) in prize money alone. This sum does not even account for additional revenue streams such as gate receipts from home matches, increased sponsorship opportunities, merchandise sales, and the enhanced market value of their players – all of which are significantly boosted by a Champions League triumph.

For a club like PSG, securing their first-ever Champions League title would validate years of massive investment and solidify their position among Europe's elite, both on and off the pitch. For Inter Milan, a victory would mark a glorious return to the pinnacle of European football, providing a massive financial boost that could be reinvested in strengthening their squad and securing their future dominance.

The financial incentive of the Champions League winner's prize money serves as a powerful motivator, driving clubs to invest heavily in talent and infrastructure. As PSG and Inter prepare to battle it out in Munich, the financial implications of winning will be as tangible as the glory itself, shaping their destinies for seasons to come. The stakes couldn't be higher.