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Europa League Prize Money Details for 2026/2027 Season

The Europa League remains one of Europe’s top football competitions, second only to the Champions League in prestige. Although it’s viewed as the runner-up tournament, it delivers thrilling matches throughout the season. The format changed in 2024/25, replacing the old group stages with a new League Phase, creating fresh excitement early on.

European tournaments attract top clubs aiming for continental success and financial rewards. As the 2026/27 Europa League unfolds, here is a detailed look at the prize money teams can earn from start to finish. Fans of Crystal Palace, Celtic, Juventus, or AC Milan will want to see what their clubs stand to gain by progressing through the competition.

Prize Money for Each Stage in 2026/2027

The money each club receives depends on how far they advance. There are seven prize brackets listed on UEFA's official site, starting from league stage qualification up to winning the final.

  • League stage qualification: 36 teams enter this phase, some securing spots automatically through their domestic league positions, others via qualifiers. Every team that reaches this stage earns €4.31 million (£3.7m / $5m) just for qualifying.
  • Match results in the league phase: Teams receive €450,000 (£385k / $524k) per win and €150,000 (£128.5k / $175k) per draw.
  • League ranking rewards: Teams finishing between first and eighth place get an extra €600,000 (£514k / $700k), while those ranked ninth to sixteenth take home €300,000 (£257k / $350k).
  • Play-off round and Round of 16: Twenty-four teams move forward, with eight play-off matches deciding the last sixteen. Simply reaching the knock-out rounds guarantees €300,000 (£257k / $350k). Winners of play-offs add €1.75 million (£1.5m / $2m) to their coffers for reaching the Round of 16.
  • Quarter-finals: The eight teams advancing secure €2.5 million (£2.1m / $3m), regardless of the outcome in this stage.
  • Semi-finals: Clubs making it this far receive €4.2 million (£3.6m / $4.9m).
  • Finalists: Both finalists earn €7 million (£6m / $8.1m) for reaching the match, with the winner claiming an additional €6 million (£5.1m / $6.9m) for lifting the trophy.

2026/27 Europa League Prize Money Summary

  • League stage qualification: €4.31m (£3.7m / $5m)
  • League stage draw: €150k (£128.5k / $175k)
  • League stage win: €450k (£385k / $524k)
  • Ranking 1-8: €600k (£514k / $700k)
  • Ranking 9-16: €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)

Comparison With Past Seasons

The 2023/24 season was the last with traditional group stages. Back then, teams earned more for wins and draws, with at least £460,000 awarded to clubs reaching the knockouts. Now, the total prize pool spreads across more games due to the new format.

The knockout rounds show clear increases in payouts compared to last year: about £500,000 extra for reaching the Round of 16, £600,000 more for quarter-finalists, roughly £1.2 million higher for semi-finalists, and over £2 million additional for finalists.

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