Chelsea Tops Earnings from Club World Cup

The Club World Cup has had its critics but for the clubs involved the competition’s US$1 billion prize pot has proved a lucrative incentive.

With the first edition of the new-look tournament now complete, we are able to analyse the financial rewards reaped by those competing clubs.

Alrick Swaby tells us more.

The new look competition had a prize pot of US$1 billion to give out to the 32 competing clubs, with US$525 million divided between all clubs for participation and US$475 million awarded on a performance-related basis.

Money awarded for participation for European clubs was weighted by a ranking based on sporting and commercial criteria, meaning some were awarded more than others for taking part.

European clubs were handed between US$12.81 million and US$38.19 million just for turning up, while teams from other continents were given a set fee – that was US$15.21 million for South America, US$9.55 million for North and Central America, Asia and Africa, and US$3.58 million for Oceania.

Tournament winners Chelsea were by far the most financially successful team, earning over US$113 million, while Paris St-Germain made over US$105 million in their run to the final.

European clubs, who generally enjoyed larger participation fees, made an average of around US$52 million, while impressive runs from the likes of semi-finalists Fluminense meant that South American clubs made US$32 million on average.

Money was on offer for results in the group stage, with around US$2 million for a win and US$982,000 for a draw.

Five clubs, including Pachuca and Seattle Sounders, lost all three group games meaning they only received their participation fee.