The FIFA Club World Cup has proven to be a financial goldmine for participating clubs, and Chelsea are no strangers to the lucrative rewards the competition brings.
SoftFootball can confirm that the Blues have secured £22 million simply for reaching the final, following their 2-0 victory over Fluminense in the semi-finals thanks to a sensational brace from new signing João Pedro.
This advancement marks a turning point for the club, which continues to show signs of resurgence under Todd Boehly’s leadership. For Chelsea fans, reaching the final is not just about silverware; it’s a testament to the club’s growing strength and ability to once again compete with Europe’s elite.
According to SoftFootball research, the total prize pool for the tournament is £97 million, although this figure recently dropped to £92 million due to fluctuations in the exchange rate between the US dollar and the British pound.
Despite this, Chelsea will not receive the entire sum, even if they go on to win the tournament.
While Chelsea’s participation fee has not been officially confirmed, insider reports suggest that Manchester City, who qualified through different criteria, will earn more overall than Chelsea.
Similarly, potential finalists PSG and Real Madrid may also earn higher payouts due to sporting and commercial criteria unique to each club.
However, once the tournament kicked off, the prize money structure became uniform:
- Group stage wins: £1.5 million
- Group stage draws: £750,000
- Progressing from group stage: £5.4 million
- Quarter-final qualification: £9.5 million
Following their fifth win in six matches, Chelsea’s total earnings are now estimated to be around £80 million, a number that could rise by another £7.5 million if they lift the trophy on Sunday.
When asked about the club’s financial gain during the tournament, manager Enzo Maresca made it clear to Chelsea’s official website that his focus is purely football-related. These were his statements;
“Chelsea have made that. Not me,”
“I prepare for the games in the same way, and I don’t care about the money. We don’t get any of it, unfortunately.”
He added:
“We are very happy and very proud to play the final. The reason why is that this is the Club World Cup—the best clubs in the world are here. So for us to be there on Sunday is something we have to be proud and happy about.”
Chelsea’s path to the final may have surprised many, especially as they were not tipped among the favourites when the tournament began.
But with PSG or Real Madrid awaiting in the final, winning the Club World Cup would not only cap off a successful campaign but also deliver a massive financial and symbolic victory for the Blues.
