Newcastle will miss out on millions (Image: GETTY)
Sunderland set to reignite their fierce rivalry with Newcastle United in the Premier League after triumphing over Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium in a gripping Championship play-off final.
The squad managed by Regis Le Bris staged an incredible comeback, with VAR stepping in to prevent them falling further behind. Eliezer Mayenda's thunderous equaliser during the second half set the stage for Tom Watson, who turned into a Wearside legend by netting the decisive goal in the 95th minute, drilling home from distance to secure victory.
Thus, the Black Cats are ready to join Leeds United and Burnley in the Premier League next season - an ascent earned by clinching what is widely hailed as football's most lucrative game.
This financial bonanza comes from the estimated £200m windfall awaiting the victor, money that is essential for any club facing the Premier League's rigorous demands.
Moreover, Sunderland's success doesn't just spell celebration; it poses a significant challenge for their rivals next season, including the Magpies.
As Kieran Maguire, a football finance guru, underscored pre-match: "Under Premier League rules, clubs are entitled to three years of Parachute Payments when they are relegated to the Championship, although this is restricted to two years if they had previously been promoted and were immediately relegated.
"The parachute payments are calculated as being 55 percent, 45 percent and 20 percent respectively of the equal share elements of the Premier League distribution to its member clubs.
"This works out as £48m, £39m and £17m for the relegated clubs over a three year period.
"If a relegated club is then immediately promoted, then the parachute payments it was due to receive are retained by the Premier League and given to its own clubs.
"Burnley and Leeds United have already been promoted to the Premier League which saves the Premier League £39m and £17m in 2025/26.
"If Sheffield United are promoted in the playoffs at the weekend this will be a further £39m. This could result in a total of £95 million coming back to the Premier League.
"Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton were relegated in 2024/25 having been promoted the previous season. This means that the Premier League will definitely not have to pay parachute payments in the third year, resulting in a further benefit to Premier League clubs of £51 million (3 x £17m).
"This could take the parachute payments benefit to existing PL clubs to £146 million."
So, as Sheffield United are to remain in the Championship next term, they will still be owed their £39m share of parachute payments for a second year of playing in the second tier.
That money goes directly to them, as opposed to being pooled amongst the Premier League's 2025/26 clubs.
[Newcastle](https://www.express.co.uk/latest/newcastle-united-fc), along with all other clubs, have missed out on nearly a £2m bonus due to their fierce rivals Sunderland gaining promotion instead of the Blades.
However, there is a silver lining as each Premier League club is set to receive approximately £2.8m from the funds that would have otherwise been allocated to Leeds and Burnley.