GENEVA: Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain topped the UEFA prize money table getting 144.4 million euros ($168 million) last season as the competition paid an extra 400 million euros ($466 million) among Europe’s elite clubs in the expanded new format.
The figures were confirmed in UEFA’s financial report published Tuesday for the 2024-25 season, ahead of its annual congress next month in Brussels.
Inter Milan, the beaten finalist, also were second on the money list earning 136.6 million euros ($159 million) from the UEFA prize fund that shared 2.47 billion euros ($2.9 billion) among the 36 teams which each first played eight games in a single-standings league.
Seven teams got at least 100 million euros ($116.5 million) in prize money compared to five that got a nine-figure payment the previous season, when the total fund had been 2.08 billion euros ($2.42 billion) in the last year of the 32-team, group-stage format.
Aston Villa were the only quarterfinalist last season to get less than 100 million euros, earning a UEFA payment of 83.7 million euros ($97.5 million). That was partly explained by Villa’s lower UEFA ranking returning to the competition after a 41-year gap.
Real Madrid’s quarterfinal loss to Arsenal meant they earned less than 102 million euros ($119 million) from UEFA in the Champions League, which was a drop of 37 million euros ($43 million) from winning the title in 2024.
Madrid got an extra 5 million euros for winning the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta, which got 4 million euros from that season-opening game.
Inter earned at least twice as much from the Champions League as each of the other four Italian teams in the competition.
Manchester City were the lowest earner of the four English clubs. The reigning English champion got 76 million euros ($88.5 million) after being eliminated in the knockout playoffs round in February by Real Madrid.
The smallest payment to a Champions League team was Slovan Bratislava getting less than 22 million euros ($25.6 million). The champion of Slovakia lost all eight league-phase games.
Europa and Conference money
The steep drop in payments from the Champions League to the second-tier Europa League was shown in title-winner Tottenham getting 41 million euros ($47.8 million).
Beaten finalist Manchester United were paid 36 million euros ($41.9 million) by UEFA last season and will get nothing this time after failing to qualify for any European competition.
The third-tier Conference League paid Chelsea 21.8 million euros ($25.4 million) for winning the title. Chelsea are now in the Champions League.
Presidential salary freeze
UEFA’s financial report shows its president Aleksander Ceferin took no pay rise last season.
The Slovenian lawyer earned “fixed compensation of 3,250,000 Swiss francs gross” with no bonus, the UEFA document said. That was the same as the previous year and equates to $4 million.
UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis got raises in both his salary and bonus for a total of 2.05 million Swiss francs ($2.56 million).
Champions League winner PSG’s $168m payment top UEFA prize money list for last season
https://arab.news/97uvn
Champions League winner PSG’s $168m payment top UEFA prize money list for last season
- The figures were confirmed in UEFA’s financial report published Tuesday for the 2024-25 season
- Seven teams got at least $116.5m in prize money compared to five that got a nine-figure payment the previous season
Smash GC announces 2026 LIV Golf roster as Harold Varner III joins lineup
- Talor Gooch-led team returns with lineup built for depth and competitiveness as LIV Golf kicks off new season in Riyadh
NEW YORK: Smash GC of the LIV Golf League today announced its official roster for the 2026 season with the addition of Harold Varner III. Varner joins newly minted captain Talor Gooch and returning veterans Jason Kokrak and Graeme McDowell.
The team blends winning pedigree, global experience and a competitive edge, reinforcing the team’s identity as one of LIV Golf’s most battle-tested lineups.
Varner, who made his LIV Golf debut in 2022, brings a mix of global experience and personal drive. He earned his first LIV Golf individual win in 2023 at LIV Golf DC after sinking a hole-out from the bunker for a birdie mid-round to claim a one-stroke victory. He joins Smash GC after a steady performance in 2025 with 4Aces GC, when he finished in the top 10 four times.
“Smash GC is a team that competes with confidence and edge,” Varner said. “I’m excited to join a group that believes in what it’s building and is focused on winning. I’m ready to get to work and contribute meaningfully in 2026.”
Gooch will lead Smash GC in 2026 after being officially named captain last December. One of LIV Golf’s most accomplished and consistent performers, he brings a performance-driven mindset and a deep understanding of team competition. He reunites with Varner after the two played together with RangeGoats GC during 2023, which was both Gooch’s and Varner’s most successful LIV Golf season.
In addition to Varner’s DC win, Gooch won three tournaments and the season-long individual championship. Rounding out the 2026 roster are Kokrak, who has delivered key individual and team performances throughout his LIV Golf tenure, and McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion and longtime Ryder Cup standout who brought steady play to the 2025 season combined with his experience, leadership and competitive instincts.
“Adding Harold to Smash GC is a big move for us, and I couldn’t be more excited to reunite with him in 2026,” Gooch said. “He’s proven he can compete at the highest level and, as captain, I’m excited about how he strengthens our lineup and pushes our standards forward. We’re building a team that expects to contend every week, and Harold is a big part of that.”
Smash GC enters the new season following a 2025 campaign defined by resilience and competitiveness. With strong team performances and consistent individual contributions, the club laid a foundation it now aims to build upon under refreshed leadership and a reinforced roster.
