Arsenal finished first in the Champions League league stage, earning the most among Premier League clubs in the competition thus far and here's how their earnings compare to their rivals
Aaron Morris Senior Sports Reporter and Luke Thrower
08:16, 29 Jan 2026
Arsenal players before a Champions League game
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Arsenal eased into the Champions League's knockout stages(Image: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Arsenal stand to pocket nearly £50million from the Champions League, irrespective of their progress in the knockout rounds. Mikel Arteta's side have excelled both in domestic competition and across Europe so far this campaign, as they aim to conclude 2025/26 with an array of trophies.
With a perfect record of eight wins out of eight in the league phase, the Gunners have secured themselves a place in the round of 16, topping the table. Along with it, there has been extra prize money that will certainly help the side balance the books for another season at the top.
But how has this substantial sum been accumulated, and what's the method behind calculating Champions League prize money for this season's tournament?
The Daily Star takes a look at everything you need to know about the pay-out for Arsenal and their Premier League rivals in the competition.
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How much money do clubs earn for Champions League participation this season?
Through the equal distribution payment, all 36 clubs competing in this season's Champions League are guaranteed to receive £16.1 million, irrespective of their performance during the initial eight fixtures.
What are the financial rewards for Champions League victories and draws?
Beyond the baseline funding provided for qualifying for the 2025/26 Champions League, substantial additional prize money was available as motivation for success. Prior to this year's tournament, it was announced that clubs would earn £1.8 million for every victory in the league phase, whilst £604,000 would be distributed for each draw.
Qualification for the last 16 also brings a reward of £9.5 million, whilst sides reaching the play-off knockout stage received a more conservative £862,800.
Arsenal players celebrate during a game
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Arsenal beat Kairat 6-0 on Wednesday(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
What are the financial rewards for each final position?
This season, each position in the table is worth one share, which equates to £237,300. In layman's terms, the team who finished 36th in the Champions League standings in 2025/26 (Kairat Almaty) will receive one share, while the table toppers (Arsenal) will receive a staggering £8.5 million for their efforts in the Champions League thus far.
Arsenal's Champions League prize money compared to Premier League rivals
All things considered, here's how Arsenal performed in terms of earnings for their league stage campaign, compared to the other Premier League clubs....
Arsenal - £48.5m
Following a perfect sequence of victories against Athletic Club, Olympiakos, Atletico Madrid, Slavia Prague, Bayern Munich, Club Brugge and Inter Milan, plus Wednesday's 3-2 triumph over Kairat Almaty, Arsenal have secured a maximum £14.4m from win bonuses alone. Consequently, the club also topped the Champions League table, earning an additional £8.5m for their position.
Combined with a £16.1 million participation payout and a £9.5m reward for reaching the round of 16, Arsenal have banked a remarkable £48.5m from their tournament campaign so far. The Gunners could potentially achieve a total of £95.6m should they manage to claim 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 players before a Champions League game
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Arsenal have banke a huge amount with qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool - £44.49m
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 - £43.65m
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)
Chelsea - £42.58m
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)
Joao Pedro celebrates during a Chelsea game
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Chelsea have banked around £43m from their efforts in the Champions League(Image: Isabella Bonotto/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Manchester City - £42.1m
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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)