2026/2027 Europa League Prize Money Explained

The Europa League stands as one of Europe's major football tournaments, offering exciting matches and substantial rewards for the teams involved. Though it ranks below the Champions League in prestige, its revamped format since 2024/25 has introduced a League Phase, replacing traditional group stages and adding new intensity to early rounds.

This season, clubs like Crystal Palace, Celtic, Juventus, and AC Milan will compete not only for glory but also for significant financial gains. Here’s how the prize money is structured for the 2026/27 campaign.

Prize Money by Competition Stage

• League Stage Qualification: Thirty-six teams enter the League Phase, with some qualifying automatically based on their domestic league positions, while others advance through qualifiers. Each team earns €4.31 million (£3.7m / $5m) just for making it this far.
• Match Results Bonuses: For every win in the League Phase, teams receive an extra €450,000 (£385k / $524k), and for each draw, they get €150,000 (£128.5k / $175k).
• Ranking Rewards: Teams finishing between first and eighth in the League Phase get €600,000 (£514k / $700k). Those ranked ninth to sixteenth receive €300,000 (£257k / $350k).
• Knockout Play-off Round: Twenty-four teams progress, with eight play-off ties deciding the final spots in the round of 16. Every team reaching this knockout stage secures €300,000 (£257k / $350k).
• Round of 16: Winners from the play-offs collect a further €1.75 million (£1.5m / $2m).
• Quarter-finals: The eight remaining teams each earn €2.5 million (£2.1m / $3m).
• Semi-finals: Reaching the last four brings a payout of €4.2 million (£3.6m / $4.9m).
• Europa League Final: Both finalists receive €7 million (£6m / $8.1m) just for competing.
• Winner’s Bonus: The champion takes home an additional €6 million (£5.1m / $6.9m) on top of previous earnings.

Detailed 2026/27 Europa League Prize Money

• League stage qualification: €4.31m (£3.7m / $5m)
• League stage draw: €150k (£128.5k / $175k)
• League stage win: €450k (£385k / $524k)
• Ranked 1-8 in League Phase: €600k (£514k / $700k)
• Ranked 9-16 in League Phase: €300k (£257k / $350k)
• Knock-out play-offs round: €300k (£257k / $350k)
• Round of 16 qualification: €1.75m (£1.5m / $2m)
• Quarter-finals qualification: €2.5m (£2.1m / $3m)
• Semi-finals qualification: €4.2m (£3.6m / $4.9m)
• Reaching the Europa League final: €7m (£6m / $8.1m)
• Winning the Europa League: €6m (£5.1m / $6.9m)

How Does This Compare To Past Seasons?

The 2023/24 season was the last with classic group stages. Back then, wins and draws earned slightly more individually, and teams qualified for the knockout rounds received at least £460,000. At first glance, the current setup seems to offer less per match, but the total prize pot is spread over more fixtures due to the new League Phase.

Knockout phase rewards have increased noticeably: reaching the round of 16 pays about £500,000 more than before; quarter-finalists get around £600,000 extra; semi-finalists see about £1.2 million more; and finalists earn just over £2 million more than last time.