How much Aston Villa are set to make after they qualified for the 2024/25 Champions League.
A successful 2023/24 season has seen Unai Emery’s side finally receive their reward. After sitting fourth for the majority of the season, the club has now officially qualified for the 2024/25 Champions League.
It is fully deserved for the Birmingham outfit after many of Villa’s first team put on magical performances throughout the campaign.
Emery’s side was close to tasting European success this season as they reached the Europa Conference League semi-finals before being knocked out by Olympiacos.
However, now they are set to return to Europe’s most prestigious competition, over 40 years since they last qualified.
This article explores the financial benefits Villa’s qualification will have on the club and how much they could win along the way.
Read more: Everything you need to know about Aston Villa’s upcoming Champions League campaign.
Aston Villa are set to make at least £16 million from the Champions League
No matter what happens, Villa will make at least £16 million for reaching the Champions League.
According to UEFA, qualification into the league table is worth £575 million which is then split equally across the 36 clubs. Therefore, sitting at £16 million each.
From here, Villa will have the opportunity to increase its prize money by achieving good results in their upcoming eight fixtures. A victory in the league stage earns a club £1.8 million and a draw is rewarded with £859k.
Following this, further prize money is handed out for a club’s final position in the table. Each place is worth £236k. This means, if Villa were to finish top of the table, they could bring in an additional £8.5 million.
On top of this, further bonuses will be handed out to the sides that finish inside the qualification zones. The teams that finish in the top eight will be given an additional £1.7 million while the clubs between ninth and 16th are rewarded with £859k.
Aston Villa could make an extra £60 million by progressing through the Champions League
Firstly, if Villa qualify for the play-off round, they will automatically receive £859k. If they overcome their potential opponents, the club will be rewarded with a massive £9.4 million for qualifying for the round of 16.
From here, reaching the quarter-finals is worth another £10.7 million, the semi-finals £12.8 million and finally the finalists will each be rewarded £15.8 million.
If Villa were to lift the trophy for the second time in their history, the club would gain an additional £5.5 million and qualification to the UEFA Super Cup.
The Super Cup would earn the Claret and Blue side at least £3.4 million with an additional £1 million rewarded to the winners.
On top of this, TV revenue will also be split out amongst clubs upon the completion of the competition. The Birmingham Mail stated that this could see some clubs earn an additional £30 million on top of their prize money.
Prize money could help comply with FFP rules
It is no secret that Villa has been struggling to make a profit in recent years. In February, it was revealed that Villa made nearly a £120 million loss in 2023.
This has caused fears that the club may be forced into selling some of their star players in order to comply with the financial rules.
Expert Kieran Maguire had recently warned Villa that some may need to depart this summer to ensure no rules are broken.
However, the club could make millions over the course of next season to help ease concerns.
There is potentially around £100 million worth of prize money to be won in the Champions League. The more Villa can take advantage of this, the more they will be able to spend in the coming seasons.
Financial stability is crucial to Villa if they want to keep progressing. Therefore, next season, the Champions League has to be their top priority.
