As the curtain falls on the 2024/25 UEFA Europa Conference League, football fans across the continent have once again been treated to a fascinating campaign filled with drama, underdog triumphs, and fairy-tale finishes.
Now in its fourth season, the Europa Conference League has become more than just a “third-tier” competition. It’s a gateway for emerging European clubs to make their mark on the international stage — and the prize money, while not reaching Champions League heights, is nothing to scoff at.
The 2024/25 season brought significant changes to the structure of European competitions, and the Conference League was no exception.
UEFA revamped the group stage format, transitioning to a league-style phase that mirrors the new-look Champions League and Europa League systems. With Chelsea storming to the title in dramatic fashion, now is a great time to take a closer look at how the prize money was distributed throughout this uniquely charming competition.
This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of the 2024/25 Europa Conference League prize money — from the league phase to the final — and why it continues to offer a financially meaningful journey for clubs just outside Europe’s elite.
A Competition With Purpose
The UEFA Europa Conference League was introduced in 2021 as a way to give more clubs across Europe a taste of continental competition. While the Champions League caters to the cream of the crop and the Europa League serves as a bridge between the elite and the up-and-comers, the Conference League was designed to spotlight smaller clubs and leagues.
Naturally, the tournament has faced skepticism. Critics dismissed it as unnecessary or even redundant.
But over the years, it has proven to be anything but. The competition has delivered unforgettable moments — from José Mourinho’s AS Roma claiming the inaugural title in 2022, to West Ham United’s emotional triumph in 2023, and Olympiacos’ surprise run to glory in 2024.
Now, in 2025, Chelsea — a club more commonly associated with Champions League nights, found themselves battling in the Conference League and ultimately lifting the trophy.
Their presence alone highlights the competition’s evolving prestige and growing financial allure.
Revamped Format: The New League Phase
The biggest structural change this season was UEFA’s shift from the traditional group-stage format to a single league phase. All 36 participating clubs were placed into one large league table.
Each team played six matches against different opponents, ensuring a diverse range of fixtures and a greater sense of unpredictability.
This format not only spiced up the footballing action but also influenced how prize money was allocated.
Clubs had to earn their place in the knockout rounds through consistent performances across these six games, making every match crucial, both competitively and financially.
Prize Money Breakdown: From League Entry to Lifting the Trophy
Let’s get to the heart of the matter, how much do teams earn in the 2024/25 Europa Conference League? Below is the stage-by-stage breakdown of the available prize money.
League Stage Qualification – £2.6 million
Every team that qualified for the league phase received a base participation fee of £2.6 million. This alone was a lifeline for clubs from smaller leagues, many of whom operate on limited budgets.
Qualification itself is now worth significantly more than in the competition’s inaugural year, reflecting its increasing relevance in UEFA’s ecosystem.
The £2.6 million is paid out before any match is played, meaning clubs get this just by reaching the league stage, a critical boost for travel, logistics, and preparation.
Knockout Play-offs Round – £168,000
Clubs that finished in the middle pack of the league table entered the knockout play-offs, a stage where teams fought for a place in the Round of 16. Qualification for this round came with an additional £168,000.
While modest, this sum added to the incentive of finishing just high enough in the league phase to stay alive in the tournament. For smaller clubs, even this amount can be used toward salaries or infrastructure.
Round of 16 Qualification – £672,500
Securing a place in the Round of 16 netted clubs £672,500. This stage is where the tournament typically starts to intensify, with matches becoming high-stakes and attracting increased viewership.
For context, a team that entered the league phase and made it to the Round of 16 without dropping to the play-offs would already have earned a combined £3.27 million, a considerable sum for a mid-tier club in Europe.
Quarter-finals Qualification – £1.1 million
Making it into the last eight of the tournament came with a tidy bonus of £1.1 million. At this point, clubs are on the radar across the continent, with potential for lucrative matchday revenues and increased visibility.
Clubs that reach this stage are typically balancing their domestic campaigns and European ambitions.
This financial reward helps cushion the demands of traveling and competing on multiple fronts.
Semi-finals Qualification – £2.1 million
Teams that reached the semi-finals were awarded £2.1 million. By this point, the remaining sides are either dark horses writing a fairytale or experienced European campaigners taking the competition seriously.
Add up the rewards up to this point, and a semi-finalist could have earned over £7 million, an impressive return, especially for clubs not used to European success.
Reaching the Final – £3.5 million
The runners-up in the 2024/25 Conference League took home a hefty £3.5 million for reaching the final. This doesn’t include the cumulative earnings from earlier rounds, it’s a standalone figure meant to reward the journey to the final showdown.
The visibility, ticket sales, merchandise revenue, and increased fan engagement that come with reaching a European final can be transformative. Financially and reputationally, a final appearance is a major milestone.
Winning the Conference League – £2.5 million (in addition to the finalist amount)
Lifting the trophy came with an additional £2.5 million, bringing the winner’s total reward to nearly £10 million, including earlier rounds.
Chelsea’s triumph this season, while perhaps expected due to their squad depth and resources, still highlights the significance of this prize.
For other clubs, that kind of windfall could support academy development, stadium renovations, or simply help retain star players.
The Bigger Picture: TV, Coefficients, and Market Pool Bonuses
While the stage-by-stage figures are publicly known, UEFA also distributes additional revenue based on broadcasting rights, club coefficients, and the so-called “market pool.” These bonuses are more complex but can add millions to a club’s earnings.
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TV Revenue (Market Pool): Distributed based on the value of TV deals in each country and the number of clubs representing that nation.
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Coefficient-Based Payments: Clubs with stronger recent European records receive a share of a separate pot. This rewards consistency and historical performance.
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Match Wins and Draws: Though not officially listed in the breakdown above, teams also receive money for each match won or drawn during the league phase, similar to other UEFA competitions.
So, while Chelsea may have banked close to £10 million from stage rewards, their actual earnings — considering TV and coefficient bonuses — could surpass £15 million.
Is It Worth It? Absolutely.
When the Europa Conference League was first announced, many questioned its value. But the 2024/25 campaign makes a strong case that the tournament is both entertaining and financially worthwhile.
It offers:
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A realistic shot at silverware for clubs that might otherwise be overshadowed in the Europa or Champions League.
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Continental exposure, building fanbases beyond domestic borders.
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Financial security and opportunities to grow on and off the pitch.
For clubs from smaller leagues, the Conference League can be a once-in-a-generation platform to transform their stature. For clubs like Chelsea, it provides a way to reset, rebuild, and still win meaningful silverware.
Final Thoughts
The 2024/25 Europa Conference League has lived up to its billing, delivering big nights, mouth opening goals, and yet another unpredictable winner. Chelsea’s name joins the likes of Roma, West Ham, and Olympiacos as champions of a tournament that continues to grow in prestige.
And for all the glory on the pitch, the money behind the scenes plays a big role in keeping the tournament competitive and meaningful.
With nearly £10 million available for the champions, and substantial payouts at every stage, the Europa Conference League isn’t just a stepping stone, it’s a destination of its own.
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