Global soccer heavyweights Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain face off Saturday in the Champions League final in Budapest, Hungary. They are both chasing history, with Arsenal looking for its first top-tier European crown, and PSG eyeing back-to-back titles, something only Real Madrid has accomplished since the tournament was rebranded as Champions League in 1992.
The game features two of the most valuable soccer clubs in the world, with Arsenal ranked No. 7 at $5.43 billion and PSG slotted next at $5 billion in Sportico’s top 50 soccer club rankings.
Both teams should earn at least $160 million in prize money for making the final. The Champions League winners receive €25 million ($29 million, based on current exchange rates) with the runner up at €18.5 million ($21.5 million). That is on top of the prize money and “value pillar” payments already earned during the tournament from UEFA. PSG made a total of $169 million for last season’s title, while runner-up Inter Milan nabbed $160 million. This year’s $2.9 billion prize money pool is up 1.2% over last season.
Arsenal is part of Stan Kroenke’s sports empire with teams worth a combined $23 billion. Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) holdings include the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams, the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, MLS’ Colorado Rapids and National Lacrosse League’s Colorado Mammoth.
