Mikel Arteta clapping with Martin Odegaard included in a circular inset
(Credit: Imago)
James Murray
Thu 29 January 2026 11:29, UK
Arsenal have banked more than £80million in prize money after topping the league phase of the Champions League.
Mikel Arteta’s side beat Kairat Almaty 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday (28 January), ensuring they finished three points above second-place Bayern Munich at the top of the table.
Arsenal secured victories in all eight of their league phase matches, earning them automatic qualification for the round of 16.
Fellow Premier League sides Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City also qualified, while Newcastle United will compete in a knock-out round play-off next month.
Arsenal are the favourites to win the Champions League following their performances in the league phase.
How Arsenal’s Champions League prize money breaks down
As per official Uefa documents, each team will earn a guaranteed £16.1m for playing in the Champions League this season.
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They will then be in line for extra cash payments under the governing body’s value pillar system, which is split into European and non-European segments based on their coefficient ranking and the market pool.
Clubs are awarded £1.8m for each win in the league phase, meaning Arsenal banked £14.4m after securing victories in all eight fixtures.
They also receive £9.5m for qualifying automatically for the round of 16 as well as £1.7m for finishing in the top eight.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta smiling in a press conference
Credit: Imago
The 36 clubs competing in the Champions League this season are handed an additional amount based on their individual ranking in the league phase.
Kairat earned £238,000 after finishing bottom, while topping the table landed Arsenal a further £8.6m.
That means the Gunners’ total prize money currently stands at just over £82m, including the payments from the value pillar system.
Arsenal banked £100m from the Champions League last season, having reached the semi-finals before being knocked out by eventual winners PSG.
Why Arsenal are well placed to smash club record
Arteta’s side have a chance to secure multiple trophies as they continue to battle on all fronts this season.
Arsenal hold a 3-2 lead over Chelsea heading into the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final clash, while they will face Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup fourth round next month.
The Gunners are also four points clear of Man City and Aston Villa at the top of the Premier League table.
Mikel Arteta clapping for the Arsenal fans.
Credit: Imago
Football Insider revealed on 23 January Arsenal’s revenue is expected to surpass £700m if they win the Premier League and progress into the latter rounds of the Champions League this season.
It comes after Deloitte’s 2026 Money League revealed the London giants’ revenue improved from £617m in 2023-24 to £690m last season.
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