The revamped Champions League was promoted as a way to expand opportunities for more teams, coaches, and players while sustaining domestic leagues. However, the reality has been quite different. Despite the changes, the competition remains dominated by the same elite clubs, with financial rewards disproportionately favoring those with historical success.
While an extra four slots were added, only one was allocated to a lesser league champion, reinforcing the grip of established powerhouses. Prize money has increased by 25% in a single season, reaching nearly €2.5bn, yet the distribution model ensures that the wealthiest clubs benefit the most. UEFA’s financial system includes a “value pillar” that accounts for 35% of distributed revenue, calculated based on past performance, media rights, and rankings. This system ensures that historically dominant clubs continue to reap the highest rewards, regardless of their current performance.
This has led to striking disparities. Manchester City, who barely escaped elimination, earned €4.7m more than Aston Villa, who comfortably qualified for the knockout rounds. Similarly, PSG out-earned Lille by €2.2m despite Lille’s superior performance, and Leipzig, who won only three points in the group stage, still made more money than several clubs that progressed further.
The financial imbalance created by these rewards is reshaping domestic leagues, turning them into predictable contests. Clubs benefiting from the Champions League windfall, such as Slovan Bratislava and Young Boys, gain such a massive advantage that they become nearly unbeatable in their home leagues. Slovan Bratislava, despite losing all their group-stage matches, still received €21.9m more than twice their usual budget. Young Boys, finishing with no points and a -21 goal difference, earned €30.2m, exceeding the annual revenue of most of their domestic rivals.
Even mid-level European clubs that struggle in the Champions League, like Crvena Zvezda, receive sums that ensure their domestic dominance. Despite failing to qualify beyond the league phase, Crvena Zvezda secured €32m, further cementing their stronghold in Serbian football. Celtic, who have earned €46.2m, make nearly double what Aberdeen generates in a year and six times Dundee United’s revenue.
The cycle is self-perpetuating: these clubs dominate their leagues year after year, securing Champions League qualification and the financial rewards that come with it, making it almost impossible for others to compete. Meanwhile, the €308m allocated to UEFA’s “solidarity fund” for clubs that do not participate in European competitions is a mere fraction of what is needed to address the growing imbalance.
Ultimately, the Champions League’s revamped structure has reinforced the financial divide rather than creating a more competitive European football landscape. The wealth gap between clubs continues to widen, ensuring that the same elite teams remain at the top, while domestic leagues become less competitive.
