UEFA club revenue: United are highest earners

Despite losing to Barcelona in the Champions League final in May, Manchester United received more money than any other club for their participation in Europe’s premier football competition.

According to figures from World Soccer Magazine, the Red Devils netted over £11 million more than their Catalan counterparts with a total of just over £38 million.

All of last season’s Champions League participants received over £4.5 million for making it to the group stages of the competition. Each victory then earned clubs around £514,000 and £257,000 was dished out for every draw.

The variations in revenue from the Champions League is partly down to the level of demand for TV rights in a club’s particular country.

Top 15 earners from UEFA Competitions – 2008-09

1. Manchester United – £38,281,000
2. Bayern Munich – £29,618,000
3. Barcelona – £26,544,000
4. Chelsea – £26,492,000
5. Werder Bremen – £25,143,000
6. Inter Milan – £24,240,000
7. Arsenal – £22,928,000
8. AS Roma – £22,328,000
9. PSV Eindhoven – £21,904,000
10. Lyon – £20,268,000
11. Liverpool - £19,866,000
12. Juventus – £18,950,000
13. Villarreal – £18,523,000
14. Real Madrid – £17,338,000
15. Panathinaikos – £15,859,000
(Source: World Soccer)