The 2025 edition of the newly formatted FIFA Club World Cup wrapped up this past Sunday, July 13, with Chelsea emerging as the champion after a thrilling final against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). This first edition under the revamped structure not only delivered exciting football but also set new financial benchmarks, distributing a staggering total of one billion dollars in prize money among participating clubs.
Chelsea's triumph was more than just a trophy win; it translated into the highest earnings of the tournament, with the Blues pocketing approximately 114.6 million dollars. PSG, the reigning Champions League winners and runners-up in this competition, earned a close 106.5 million dollars. The financial rewards reflected the teams’ performances and progression through the tournament stages, with FIFA’s prize distribution formula playing a crucial role.
FIFA’s payout system was structured to reward victories and progression at every phase. Each win in the group stage was worth two million dollars, while a draw earned one million. Once in the knockout rounds, the stakes increased significantly: teams received 7.5 million dollars for reaching the round of 16 (octavos de final), 13.125 million for quarterfinals, 21 million for semifinals, 30 million for the runner-up, and 40 million for the champion. This tiered system incentivized strong performances at every step, ensuring that even teams eliminated early had financial rewards reflective of their efforts.
Among the notable earners, Real Madrid secured 82.5 million dollars, while Bayern Munich took home 58.2 million. Fluminense, the last South American team standing before being ousted in the semifinals, earned a substantial 60.8 million. Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City collected 52.3 million and 51.7 million, respectively, highlighting the competitive balance among Europe’s elite clubs.
From the Americas, the Mexican clubs Monterrey and Pachuca made their mark both on the pitch and financially. Monterrey, also known as Rayados, entered the top 20 highest earners with a total of 21.05 million dollars. This amount combined their base participation fee with an additional 11.5 million dollars earned through points accumulated in the group stage and their advancement to the knockout round. Monterrey managed one win and two draws in the group phase before falling to a European opponent in the round of 16.
Monterrey’s earnings placed them alongside clubs like Inter Miami and Flamengo, although Flamengo started with a higher base due to representing CONMEBOL, the South American confederation. Domènec Torrent’s squad demonstrated competitive resilience, becoming one of the best-performing Concacaf teams in the tournament despite not progressing further.
On the other hand, Pachuca’s journey was shorter and less lucrative. The club was eliminated in the group stage without earning any points, resulting in a total prize of 9.55 million dollars—the base amount allocated to North and Central American clubs. This figure mirrored the earnings of other teams that failed to advance, such as Seattle Sounders, Urawa Red Diamonds, and Wydad Casablanca. Pachuca’s early exit meant they couldn’t capitalize on the additional rewards available for wins or progression.
At the bottom of the financial spectrum was Auckland City, whose valiant effort to secure a draw against Boca Juniors boosted their earnings to 4.6 million dollars, the lowest among all participants. This underdog story reflects the broad financial reach of the tournament, where even smaller clubs receive meaningful rewards for their participation and results.
The global distribution of prize money underscores FIFA’s ambition to elevate the Club World Cup’s prestige and financial impact. The one billion dollar prize pool has set a new standard, dwarfing previous editions and offering clubs from all confederations substantial incentives to compete fiercely. It also highlights the growing commercialization and financial muscle behind club football worldwide.
Other teams that earned significant sums included Palmeiras (39.8 million), Inter Milan (36.8 million), Al Hilal (34.2 million), Benfica (32.2 million), Flamengo (27.7 million), Botafogo (26.7 million), Juventus (26.6 million), Porto (24 million), Atlético de Madrid (21.4 million), River Plate (18.2 million), and Boca Juniors (17.2 million). This wide spread of earnings illustrates the global reach and competitive diversity of the tournament.
FIFA’s prize money model also reflects confederation-based considerations, with initial payments varying according to regional representation. Clubs from Europe and South America generally received higher base fees, while those from Concacaf and other regions started with lower amounts but could increase their earnings through match results and tournament advancement.
In summary, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup not only crowned Chelsea as champions in an electrifying final but also reshaped the financial landscape of club football through its unprecedented prize distribution. Monterrey’s strong showing and earnings highlighted Concacaf’s growing competitiveness, while Pachuca’s experience underscored the challenges faced by clubs in navigating this elite competition. As the tournament evolves, these financial incentives are likely to fuel even more intense rivalries and higher stakes in future editions.
