Godwin ObajeRangers’ Europa League Earnings and Champions League Comparison
Rangers’ impressive Europa League run came to an end with a 2-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the quarter-finals. Despite the loss, the Scottish side earned a significant amount in prize money throughout the competition.
According to UEFA’s prize money breakdown, Rangers earned a total of €11.24 million (approximately £9.6 million) from their Europa League run this season. This includes:
- €4.29 million for participating in the Champions League qualifying stages
- €2.7 million for their performance in the Europa League League Phase (four wins, two draws, and two losses)
- €1.75 million for automatic qualification for the round of 16
- €2.5 million for reaching the quarter-finals
In comparison, Celtic’s Champions League earnings were significantly higher. The Hoops earned a total of €26.32 million (approximately £22.6 million) from their participation in the Champions League, including:
- €18.62 million for qualifying for the competition and participating in the League Phase
- €7.7 million in performance-related bonuses (three wins, three draws, and two losses)
- €1 million for reaching the knockout round play-offs
Looking ahead to the 2025/26 season, neither Celtic nor Rangers will automatically qualify for the Champions League League Phase. Celtic will face one qualifying round, the play-off round, in the Champions Path, while Rangers will need to navigate three qualifying rounds (second, third, and play-off) to reach the League Phase.
While exact figures for the 2025-26 Champions League prize money are not yet available, UEFA typically announces these closer to the season start. The total prize pot for the Champions League has increased by a third this season, reaching £2.06 billion.
Godwin Obaje
