Men’s competitions

Our financial distribution system represents the cornerstone of UEFA's efforts to reinvest as much as possible of our competition revenue back into European football. For the 2019/20–2022/23 four-year financial period, 97% of the net revenue generated mainly by our men’s EURO, the Champions League, the Europa League and the Conference League was shared across associations and top-tier domestic leagues.

More than three-quarters went to clubs – mainly as prize money, but also through solidarity payments to teams that failed to qualify for any competition, specifically to strengthen their youth sectors. Approximately two-thirds of the EURO's net revenue was distributed equitably to our 55 member associations via the UEFA HatTrick programme, one of the largest development funds in sport.

The principle of financial solidarity embodies the core principles of the European sports model. Reinvesting and sharing revenue across the football landscape for investment in football development activities helps to level the playing field between clubs and national teams.

Where the money goes

See how we distribute the vast majority of our financial income from the men’s EURO, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference directly back into the game*.

*Given that a men’s EURO only occurs once every four years, UEFA uses cumulative figures over four-year periods (i.e. 2019/20 to 2022/23) to avoid distorting money flows.

What is UEFA’s financial distribution model?

Our financial distribution model is a mechanism through which UEFA club and national competition revenues, derived from the sale of centralised sponsorship and media rights, and in some cases ticket sales, are re-allocated. Net earnings are divided between competing teams in the form of reward payments, and non-competing teams in the form of solidarity payments.

National team competitions

When it comes to our national team competitions, the UEFA European Championship is the primary driver of our distribution system. Since 2004, we have channelled an average of two-thirds of men’s EURO's net revenue back to our member associations through our UEFA HatTrick programme to support football development projects across the continent.

From 2019/20 to 2022/23, we distributed 8% of our net revenue to fund the HatTrick programme as well as other competitions benefitting different levels of the European football pyramid (e.g. women’s, youth, futsal and the UEFA Regions’ Cup amateur competition). This amount also supports a range of UEFA-driven development projects and education initiatives.

Commercial revenues from the EURO are also redistributed through a combination of prize money and a club benefits programme, which recognises domestic clubs that release players to contribute to the success and prestige of our final tournaments.

Club competitions

Our men's club financial distribution system not only rewards success on the pitch but also promotes financial stability for clubs across Europe, enabling them to invest in player development programmes.

All teams participating in for the Champions League, the Europa League and the Conference League receive prize money based on their overall performance. In addition, we make solidarity payments to clubs eliminated in the preliminary stages as well as other top-tier clubs that fail to qualify through their domestic leagues. These funds are earmarked for investment in UEFA-approved youth development programmes.

From 2019/20 to 2022/23, solidarity payments to men’s clubs amounted to 8% of net revenue. In principle, these funds should be distributed equally among all top-division clubs not involved in the group stages of our three senior men’s club competitions. However, associations are free to propose the inclusion of lower-division clubs or alternative options – provided it still goes towards youth training.

At the end of the 2023/24 season, a total of €2.032 billion will be distributed to clubs participating in the Champions League, with €465 million and €235 million given to clubs playing in the Europa League and Conference League respectively. A further €105 million in prize money and €140 million is solidarity payments are set aside for clubs eliminated in the qualifying rounds.

Since the 1999/2000 season, our solidarity payments for non-participating men's clubs have risen from €32.9 million to €177.2 million.

Evolution of solidarity payments to non-participating clubs in our men's club competitions

UEFA men's club competitions 2024–27

In addition to its exciting new format, our 2024–27 men's club competition cycle will see modifications to how we distribute revenue. Together the 2024/25 Champions League, Europa League and Conference League, plus the 2024 Super Cup, will generate a gross revenue of €4.4bn. This total is split between prize money, solidarity payments and contributions to other parts of the game.

New club competitions format

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