Champions League 2025–26: How Much Have Arsenal, Barcelona and Bayern Earned by Reaching the Round of 16?

Winning matches and progressing through the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League is not only a sporting statement, but also represents a major financial reward for Europe’s top clubs.

The League Phase of the 2025–26 Champions League has come to an end, and while last-minute goals from teams like Benfica or Sporting, along with Arsenal’s perfect run, delivered plenty of drama on the pitch, the financial impact off it has been just as significant.

Arsenal, the Champions League’s biggest earner?

According to a breakdown published by Spanish newspaper Marca, clubs have been ranked based on the bonuses earned from match victories and qualification to the Round of 16.

At the top of that list sits Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, by far the biggest beneficiary so far, with close to €60 million earned during the League Phase.

The Top 8 clubs — Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting and Manchester City — have all surpassed €50 million in earnings, in descending order.

How much money did Real Madrid lose by missing out on direct qualification?

Following the disaster at the Estádio da Luz, Álvaro Arbeloa’s Real Madrid, led by Kylian Mbappé, finished with around €38 million in earnings.

By being forced into the playoff round, the club chaired by Florentino Pérez missed out on an additional €2 million, a bonus reserved exclusively for the top eight teams in the standings.

Still, Los Blancos can earn an extra €11 million if they manage to reach the Round of 16, but to do so they must overcome Benfica or Bodø/Glimt.

In contrast, José Mourinho’s Benfica secured €29 million by avoiding early elimination.

How much money does the Champions League winner earn?

Prize money accumulates with every round, starting from the Round of 16 and continuing all the way to the final, adding up to €82 million, on top of what clubs already earned during the League Phase.

For context, according to Marca: