Club World Cup Prize Money for Chelsea: The Breakdown

Chelsea played six matches en route to winning the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, accumulating prize money at every stage of the competition. Below is a breakdown of their financial rewards based on performance:

• Group Stage:
  Chelsea secured two wins in the group phase — a 3-1 victory over Los Angeles FC and a 2-0 win against ES Tunis — earning $4 million total ($2 million per win). Their only group-stage defeat came at the hands of Flamengo, meaning no additional bonus was collected for that match.

• Round of 16:
  The Blues defeated Benfica 4-1 in the knockout opener, adding $7.5 million to their tally.

• Quarter-final:
  A well-executed performance saw Chelsea overcome Palmeiras, earning a further $13.125 million.

• Semi-final:
  A tight contest against Fluminense ended in Chelsea’s favor, bringing in $21 million at this stage.

• Finalist Bonus:
  For reaching the final, Chelsea received $30 million, regardless of the outcome.

• Winner’s Bonus:
  Their 3-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the final earned them an additional $40 million, the highest single payout of the tournament.

Adding up all stages, Chelsea’s total prize money from the 2025 Club World Cup amounted to $115.625 million (£85.4 million), combining performance-based payouts and progression bonuses. The figure reinforces their position not only as champions on the field but also as the tournament’s top financial beneficiary.

How Chelsea Stacked Up Against Other Giants

Chelsea weren’t the only big winners at the tournament, but they did top the financial charts. Here’s a look at how Club World Cup prize money was distributed among other giants:

• Paris Saint-Germain (Finalists): $100 million

• Real Madrid (Semi-finalists): $82.5 million

• Fluminense (Semi-finalists): $60.8 million

While the prize pool was distributed among all 32 teams, a significant $623.1 million, more than 60%, went to 12 European clubs, underlining the financial dominance of UEFA-affiliated teams.

Clubs from South America accounted for $190.5 million in total earnings, making CONMEBOL the second-highest earning confederation behind UEFA. In contrast, teams from CAF, CONCACAF, AFC and OFC shared a combined $186.4 million. Many of these teams exited early and relied heavily on participation fees.

Mamelodi Sundowns earned $12.6 million, a sum that equals nearly a third of their typical annual revenue. Urawa Red Diamonds took home $9.6 million, while Auckland City received $4.6 million, an amount they plan to invest in a new all-weather pitch for their New Zealand base.

While the tournament’s aim included redistributing football’s financial rewards, the reality shows that most of the money returned to already wealthy clubs. The disparity in earnings between top European teams and clubs from smaller confederations may raise concerns about long-term competitive balance.

What Chelsea’s earnings mean going forward

The Club World Cup prize money for Chelsea will help strengthen their financial position heading into the 2025–26 season. The club faces increasing scrutiny over spending and sustainability, and this unexpected injection provides flexibility in the transfer market and contract negotiations.

It will also be pariticulalrly helopful considering that the club recently agreed to a settlement with UEFA aimed at aligning with Financial Fair Play regulations. This financial windfall will aid the club’s efforts to meet compliance targets while maintaining competitiveness in the transfer market.

Winning the Club World Cup has also enhanced the club’s commercial appeal on a global stage. With prize money exceeding $100 million, Chelsea is in a position to build momentum both on and off the pitch.

Players are also expected to receive significant performance bonuses under existing contract terms. For squad members like Reece James, the reward is both professional and financial. Behind the scenes, Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly was seen celebrating with high-profile guests, including Donald Trump, moments after the final whistle at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Will Chelsea be part of the next Club World Cup?

No, Chelsea have not yet qualified for the next Club World Cup.

Their place in the 2025 edition came as a result of their 2021 Champions League victory, which fell within that qualifying cycle (2021–2025). However, that no longer applies moving forward.

Read more here.