The UEFA Europa League is one of Europe’s most exciting soccer competitions. It brings together top clubs from across the continent, like Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Sevilla, to battle for a prestigious trophy and big cash prizes. But what happens when a team loses a match? Do they still get money? In this article, we’ll explain how much Europa League teams earn for a loss in the 2024/25 season, how the prize money works, and why it matters to fans. We’ll keep it simple and fun, perfect for young readers and soccer lovers!
What Is the UEFA Europa League?
The UEFA Europa League, often called the UEL, is Europe’s second-biggest club soccer tournament, just behind the Champions League. Teams that don’t qualify for the Champions League or drop out of it often compete here. It’s a chance for clubs to win a major trophy, earn money, and even secure a spot in the next season’s Champions League.
The competition starts with a league phase (a new format replacing the group stage in 2024/25), where 36 teams play eight matches each. Then, the top teams move to knockout rounds, like the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final. The winner gets a trophy, prize money, and a ticket to the Champions League!
Even if a team loses, they can still earn money. Let’s find out how much and why.
Prize Money for a Loss in the 2024/25 Europa League
In the 2024/25 season, the Europa League has a total prize pot of about €565 million (around $627 million or £478 million). This money is shared among the 36 teams based on their performance, how far they go, and other factors. Here’s how it works for losses:
League Phase Earnings
In the league phase, each team plays eight matches (four at home, four away). UEFA pays teams for their results:
- Winning a match: €450,000 (about $500,000 or £381,000).
- Drawing a match: €150,000 (about $167,000 or £127,000).
- Losing a match: €0 (no direct payment for a loss).
So, if a team loses a match in the league phase, they don’t get any performance-based prize money for that game. But don’t worry—they still earn other payments just for being in the competition! Here are the main ones:
- Base payment for qualifying: Every team in the league phase gets €4.31 million (about $4.79 million or £3.65 million). This is split into a down payment of €4.1 million and a balance of €210,000. This money is guaranteed, even if a team loses every match
- League ranking bonus: Teams earn extra cash based on where they finish in the league phase (1st to 36th). The bonus is divided into 666 shares, each worth at least €28,000. The team in 36th place gets one share (€28,000), while the top team gets 36 shares (up to €1.008 million). Even teams with many losses can earn some of this bonus if they rank above 36th.
- Value pillar payments: These are extra payments based on a team’s 10-year performance in European competitions (called the UEFA coefficient) and their country’s TV market size. About €171 million of the prize pot is shared this way. For example, a top-ranked team like Liverpool could get up to €4.2 million, while a lower-ranked team like West Ham might get €132,000. This money comes regardless of wins or losses.
Knockout Phase Earnings
After the league phase, the top 24 teams advance to the knockout rounds. The prize money gets bigger, but there’s no direct payment for losing a match. Instead, teams earn money for reaching each round:
- Knockout play-off round: €400,000 (about $444,000 or £339,000) for qualifying.
- Round of 16: €1.75 million (about $1.94 million or £1.48 million).
- Quarter-finals: €2.5 million (about $2.78 million or £2.12 million).
- Semi-finals: €3.5 million (about $3.89 million or £2.97 million).
- Final: €5 million (about $5.56 million or £4.24 million) for the runner-up, €9 million (about $10 million or £7.63 million) for the winner.
If a team loses in the knockout rounds, they don’t get extra money for that loss, but they keep the cash for reaching that stage. For example, if a team reaches the semi-finals but loses, they still pocket €3.5 million for getting that far.
Other Earnings
Teams also get money from TV deals and sponsors, called the broadcast pool (about €139.5 million). This is shared based on the size of a team’s TV market. Big clubs from countries like England or Spain get more because their games are watched by millions. This money doesn’t depend on winning or losing, so even teams with losses benefit.
Why Do Teams Get Money Even If They Lose?
You might think, “Why pay teams that lose?” Here’s why it makes sense:
- Helping Smaller Clubs: The base payment of €4.31 million helps smaller teams, like FK Bodø/Glimt from Norway, compete with giants like Manchester United. It pays for travel, player salaries, and training.
- Covering Costs: Playing in the Europa League is expensive—teams travel across Europe and upgrade stadiums to meet UEFA rules. The prize money helps cover these costs.
- Encouraging Competition: Even if a team loses, the money motivates them to keep playing hard. It also makes the tournament more exciting for fans!
- TV and Sponsorship Deals: UEFA earns billions from TV and sponsors. They share this with teams, so everyone gets a piece of the pie, win or lose.
How Does This Compare to Previous Seasons?
In the 2023/24 season, the Europa League prize pot was €465 million, and the base payment for the group stage was €3.63 million. Teams earned €630,000 for a win and €210,000 for a draw, but nothing for a loss. The 2024/25 season increased the prize pot to €565 million and the base payment to €4.31 million, but the payment for draws dropped to €150,000. The structure for losses stayed the same—no direct payment for losing a match.
The new league phase format means teams play more matches (eight instead of six), giving them more chances to earn money through wins or draws. For example, a team that loses all eight matches but ranks 24th could still earn around €4.31 million (base payment) plus €672,000 for the league ranking bonus and extra from the value pillar.
Why Is This Important for Fans?
Understanding Europa League prize money helps fans see why the competition is a big deal for their favorite teams. Here’s why it matters:
- Team Growth: Prize money helps clubs buy new players or build better stadiums. For example, West Ham used their 2023 Conference League earnings to strengthen their squad.
- Underdog Stories: Smaller teams like FK Bodø/Glimt can use the money to compete with bigger clubs, creating exciting matches. Their 2024/25 semi-final run earned them over €20 million
- Champions League Dreams: Winning the Europa League gives a team a spot in the next season’s Champions League, which has even bigger prizes (at least €18.6 million just for qualifying).
For fans who love the spirit of competition, the Europa League is like a battlefield where teams fight for glory. If you’re into bold team names or nicknames inspired by strength and strategy, check out military nicknames for ideas that capture the fighting spirit of sports!
Tips for Fans: How to Follow the Europa League
Want to stay updated on your team’s Europa League journey? Try these:
- Watch Matches: In the USA, games are on Paramount+ or CBS Sports. In the UK, TNT Sports shows every match. In Australia, check Stan Sport.
- Visit UEFA’s Website: UEFA.com has schedules, prize money info, and team rankings.
- Follow on Social Media: X accounts like @EuropaLeague post live updates, highlights, and fun facts.
- Explore Team Names: Love learning about teams and their identities? Visit Teamnamesed.com for creative team name ideas and sports trivia to spark your fandom!
Conclusion
In the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League, teams don’t get direct prize money for losing a match, but they still earn a lot just for being in the competition. Every team gets at least €4.31 million for qualifying, plus extra cash from their league ranking, TV deals, and past performance. This money helps clubs grow, compete, and create thrilling moments for fans. Whether your team wins or loses, the Europa League is a huge stage for soccer, and the prize money keeps the excitement going!
