How much can Sunderland win per Premier League position as they chase down European qualification?
Sunderland’s excellent recent form has left them with a genuine chance of landing a shock place in Europe next season.
The Black Cats have enjoyed a wonderful return to the top-flight, with things getting even better recently after beating arch-rivals Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur either side of the international break.
That’s seen Regis Le Bris’ men climb to 10th in the Premier League table, just two points off the top six and six points behind Liverpool in the fifth and final Champions League place. And even if Sunderland don’t secure a continental place, the 2025/26 season has been beyond the wildest dreams of most Mackems, with relegation never a realistic concern. Europe aside, Sunderland are also battling to maximise their prize money come the end of the season, so what exactly can they win based on league position?
How much is each Premier League place worth in prize money?
Here is the Premier League prize money distribution per position based on the current standings. Note that this only shows ‘merit’ payments from the UK and international combined, and doesn’t include things like commercial revenue or equal share payments.
Arsenal – £53.1m
Manchester City – £50.4m
Manchester United – £47.7m
Aston Villa – £45.0m
Liverpool – £42.4m
Chelsea – £39.8m
Brentford – £37.1m
Everton – £34.5m
Brighton & Hove Albion – £31.9m
Sunderland – £29.1m
AFC Bournemouth – £26.5m
Fulham – £23.8m
Crystal Palace – £21.2m
Newcastle United – £18.6m
Leeds United – £15.9m
Nottingham Forest – £13.3m
West Ham United – £10.7m
Tottenham Hotspur – £7.9m
Burnley – £5.3m
Wolverhampton Wanderers – £2.6m
Should Sunderland maintain their current 10th-place standing, they’ll net themselves around £29.1m in merit payments alone. In other words, they will recoup the money they spent on Nordi Mukiele (£12m), Robin Roefs (£11.5m) and Bertrand Traore (£2.5m) over the summer, with another £3.1m to spare.
Of course, Sunderland still have six games remaining, some of which are very winnable, to try and improve their position. Should they do the improbable and catch Liverpool in the top five, they’ll snag a whopping £42.4m merit payment, while even just moving up a few places into seventh - currently occupied by Brentford - would take them well over the £35m mark.
This weekend’s opponents, Aston Villa, are set for £45m as they currently sit fourth, while rivals Newcastle’s slump to 14th has them due just £18.6m in merit payments at present. Sunderland haven’t finished in the top half of the Premier League since 2010/11, when Steve Bruce guided the likes of Asamoah Gyan, Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck to 10th.
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