Arsenal have been one of the greatest beneficiaries of UEFA's revenue distribution system this season
16:00, 22 Jan 2026
The match pennant is displayed beside an Arsenal shirt inside the dressing room prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Arsenal Stadium on October 01, 2025 in London, England
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Arsenal have raked in tens of millions from the Champions League this season(Image: Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal have banked millions in prize money following their 3-1 win over Inter Milan. Gabriel Jesus fired the Gunners to victory at the San Siro in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night, securing automatic qualification to the round of 16.
The north Londoners are the only team to remain unbeaten in the 'league phase' and win each of their seven games. Unless Arsenal lose to Kairat and Bayern Munich make up a five-goal difference in a victory against PSV Eindhoven, Arteta's side will end the campaign top of the table.
The north Londoners, who can't finish any lower than second place, are set to be rewarded handsomely for their efforts. When UEFA revamped each of the three club competitions, they announced the introduction of a new revenue distribution system worth almost £3billion.
The football governing body declared that just over £2.1billion (74.4 per cent of the prize pool) will be distributed to clubs competing in the Champions League and Super Cup. UEFA also set aside £490.7million for teams competing in the Europa League, and £247.5million for teams competing in the Conference League.
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In the Champions League, the prize money is split three ways:
Equal shares (£581.7million) – this grants all 36 clubs an equal share of £16.2million for simply qualifying for the 'league phase'.
Performance-related fixed amounts (£793.6million) – this grants £1.8million for a league phase win and £608,000 for a league phase draw, while offering £238,000 for every position in the league phase.
The 'Value Pillar' (£740.6million) – this rewards the so-called traditionally 'bigger' clubs in the competition, basing payments on coefficient rankings and television money, which can be difficult to accurately calculate.
As it stands, excluding the likes of matchday revenue and league phase finish payment, Arsenal have earned just under £61million from competing in the Champions League this season. If the Gunners draw to Kairat next week, they'll bank a further £9.2million from the result and league phase finish payment.
Arsenal players celebrate with Gabriel Jesus after his goal against Inter Milan
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Arsenal players celebrate with Gabriel Jesus after his goal against Inter Milan(Image: (Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images))
If Arsenal win against Kairat, they'll earn £10.4million from the result and league ranking bonuses. On top of the league phase payments, 1st to 8th in the table will receive an additional €2million (£1.74million) and clubs 9th to 16th will receive an additional €1million (£870,000).
Qualification to the round of 16 earns €11million per club, while the quarter-final, semi-final, and final earn €12.5milloin (£10.9million), €15milloin (£13million), and €18.5million (£16.1million) per club, respectively. The Champions League winners are also awarded an additional €6.5million (£5.7million).
Arteta added millions to the prize pot on Tuesday night, helping the Gunners remain compliant with Financial Fair Play rules. But, he was far more pleased with his side's performance.
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Speaking to club media after the game, the Arsenal boss said: "It's very difficult [to win seven in a row]. But that shows the consistency, and not only that, the desire of the team - to constantly go to the next round and try to improve and be better, and win, and win, and win.
"And that's what we want to do, and we're not going to stop. Let's see how far we can get in the competition, but so far, very happy. Let's enjoy tonight, and we have another massive game on Sunday against [Manchester] United as well, and then we will look after that one."
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