The final league stage Champions League fixtures took place on Wednesday evening, with Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Newcastle all playing their part - and will be rewarded generously for doing so
Arsenal players celebrate
Arsenal could walk away from the Champions League with a staggering sum(Image: PA)
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Arsenal will walk away from the Champions League nearly £50million richer, regardless of how well they fare in the knockout stages of the competition. Mikel Arteta's Gunners have thrived both domestically and in Europe this season thus far, as they look to close out 2025/26 with a litany of silverware to show for their efforts.
How much do teams receive for taking part in the Champions League this year?
As a result of the equal shares payment, each of the 36 total teams participating in the Champions League this season will walk away with a guaranteed £16.1 million, regardless of how they fared in their opening eight games.
How much is awarded for each Champions League win and draw?
On top of the base money granted for qualifying to take part in the 2025/26 Champions League, a serious amount was up for grabs as an added incentive for success. Ahead of this year's competition, it was revealed that clubs would receive £1.8m for each win in the league stage, while £604,000 would be shelled out for a draw.
Reaching the round of 16 also carries a prize of £9.5 million, while teams making the play-off knockout round were handed a more modest £862,800.
What does each finishing position pay out?
This season, each position in the table is worth one share which equates to £237,300. In Leyman's terms, the team which finished 36th in the Champions League standings in 2025/26 (X) will receive one share, while the table toppers ( Arsenal ) will receive a staggering £8.5m for their endeavours in the Champions League thus far.
All things considered, here's how Arsenal fared in terms of earnings for their league stage endeavours, compared to the other Premier League clubs...
Arsenal - £48.5m
Thanks to a flawless run of wins over Athletic Club, Olympiakos, Atletico Madrid, Slavia Prague, Bayern Munich, Club Brugge and Inter Milan, as well as Wednesday's 3-1 win over Kairat, Arsenal have earned a maximum £14.4m from win bonuses alone. As a result, the club also finished first in the Champions League table, and will receive an additional £8.5m for their placement.
Add to that a £16.1 million participation pay out and a £9.5m payday for reaching the round of 16, and Arsenal have earned a staggering £48.5m from their efforts in the tournament thus far. The Gunners could ultimately go on to reach a total of £95.6m if they can go on to win the title.
Equal shares payment: £16.1m
Results: £14.4m (Eight wins)
Qualification to round of 16: £9.5m
League position: £8.5m (First)
Arsenal topped the Champions League group phase
Arsenal topped the Champions League group phase(Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)
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Equal shares payment: £16.1m
Results: £10.8m (Six wins and two losses)
Qualification to round of 16: £9.5m
League position: £8.09m (Third)
Tottenham Hotspur - £43.65
Equal shares payment: £16.1m
Results: £10.2m (Five wins, two draws, one loss)
Qualification to round of 16: £9.5m
League position: £7.85m (Fourth)
Equal shares payment: £16.1m
Results: £9.6m (Five wins, one draw, two losses)
Qualification to round of 16: £9.5m
League position: £7.38m (Sixth)
Manchester City - £42.1m
Equal shares payment: £16.1m
Results: £9.6m (Five wins, one draw, two losses)
Qualification to round of 16: £9.5m
League position: £6.9m (Eighth)
Newcastle United - £31.31m
Equal shares payment: £16.1m
Results: £8.4m (Four wins, two draws, two losses)
Qualification to knockout play-offs: £862,800
League position: £5.95m (12th)
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