How Much Money Could Real Madrid Earn From FIFA’s Club World Cup?

The FIFA Club World Cup will represent the start of a new era for Real Madrid this summer as the club is expected to debut new coach Xabi Alonso, as well as new signing Dean Huijsen and possibly even another in the former of defender Trent Alexander-Arnold.

More than just a chance to impress and start a new chapter in the club’s history on the front foot, the tournament could also bring in crucial income for the club’s finances with major economic rewards available.

Real Madrid, as one of the biggest clubs in the competition, stands to earn one of the highest potential incomes from it. That is down to the nature of the prize money, which is variable according to each team as FIFA seeks to reward the clubs which bring in the most appeal for sponsors, ticket sales and television viewers.

In total, Los Blancos could earn as much as €145 million ($164.8 million) in income from the tournament, one of the highest possible sums available to any team involved.

That is significantly more than the €130 million ($147.8 million) which domestic rivals Atlético Madrid could attract should they go on to win the tournament. In particular, it is more than Clásico nemesis FC Barcelona, who has not qualified for the tournament despite ending the current season as La Liga champions.

Such a gap in income could help Real Madrid to close the gap on their Catalan challengers, who won all four El Clásico meetings between the two teams this season. The qualification process, based on previous years’ performance in continental competition, did not favor the Blaugrana.

How much will each team earn from the Club World Cup?

In total, a sizeable €500 million ($568.4 million) has been set for fixed prize money for the clubs involved in FIFA’s inaugural Club World Cup tournament.

€284 million ($322.9 million) will be distributed among the 12 European clubs participating in the tournament, with €10 million ($11.4 million) each being fixed, with other variable add-ons.

In the case of Real Madrid, their expected income before any prize money is worth €35 million ($39.8 million). This is more than most other teams, such as their city rivals Atlético Madrid, who will only bring in €20 million ($22.8 million).

What is the prize money for each round?

The champions will earn an additional €37 million ($42.1 million) in prize money, with the rewards then being scaled back for each step in the competition.

There will be additional prize money from the round of the last 16 onwards, where the first incentives are introduced at €7 million ($7.9 million) for each of the 16 teams involved. That almost doubles to €12 million ($13.6 million) for the eight teams to reach the quarter-finals.

The final four will be rewarded with €20 million ($22.7 million) with the beaten finalist earning €28 million ($31.8 million).

Despite the intense fixture schedule, this tournament beginning only three weeks after Real Madrid and many other major European teams end their domestic campaigns, there is a powerful incentive for teams to take this competition seriously.