For the Champions League qualification, Milan should go all in For prestige, of course, but also for financial reasons. For the majority of the Rossoneri fans, it now seems inevitable, given the team’s current points average in the league (1.64). Conceição understandably refuses to surrender— a word that does not exist in his vocabulary— and continues to speak about the Champions League, though securing qualification is objectively difficult, especially without the help of UEFA’s coefficient ranking, which currently does not offer a fifth spot.
So, if Milan 2025-26 were to settle for the Europa League, what would change for the club economically?
Quite a lot, obviously.
We can start with a general figure that already gives a clear idea of the gap between the first and second-tier European competitions. The total UEFA prize pool— divided into participation fees, performance-based rewards, and market pool distribution— for the current Champions League edition (which will apply for three years) amounts to €2.47 billion, nearly €500 million more than the previous cycle. Meanwhile, the Europa League has been allocated €565 million— an increase of €100 million compared to the previous three-year period, but still drastically lower than its wealthier sibling.
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The good news is that Milan, thanks to the prudent financial management of Elliott and RedBird, has stabilized its accounts, returning to a positive balance for the first time in seventeen years. So, in itself, ending up in the Europa League would not have immediate repercussions on the club’s finances. However, in the long run, it would, as competing in the Europa League generates significantly lower revenues.
Specifically, Milan exited this season’s Champions League with approximately €60 million in UEFA prize money, plus additional earnings from ticket sales. This year, the club has not disclosed its matchday revenue, but for the five home games played, estimates suggest at least €20 million. That brings the total to nearly €80 million— and this was despite an early elimination.
Breaking down the UEFA prizes:
€18.62 million for participation;
€2.1 million per win in the league phase, €700,000 per draw;
Ranking bonuses range from €275,000 for the 36th-placed team to approximately €10 million for the first;
€11 million for reaching the Round of 16;
€12.5 million for the quarter-finals;
€15 million for the semi-finals;
€18.5 million for the final;
An additional €6.5 million for the winner.
The same prize structure in the Europa League shows a massive gap:
€4.31 million for participation;
€450,000 per win in the league phase, €150,000 per draw;
Ranking bonuses: €600,000 for the top eight teams, €300,000 for those ranked 9th to 24th;
€1.75 million for reaching the Round of 16;
€2.5 million for the quarter-finals;
€4.2 million for the semi-finals;
€7 million for the final;
An additional €6 million for the winner.
Running some rough calculations: if Milan had followed the same path in the Europa League as they did in this Champions League— exiting in the playoff round— instead of earning €60 million in UEFA prize money, they would have collected roughly €20 million.
This difference would also be reflected in ticket revenue, as average prices for Europa League matches are significantly lower than those for Champions League home games. Speculating a scenario: the €25 million in Champions League ticket sales would drop to around €7 million, perhaps slightly more.
Total revenue comparison: €80 million vs. €27 million.
The Champions League is crucial for Milan, therefore. But, it seems like a distant dream for now. A lot of work needs to be done, and AC Milan consultant Zlatan Ibrahimovic knows that and he is betting on his team to get the job done.
In a recent interview, he said the following words, reiterating the importance of the getting the club back to where it belongs:
“When we won the Super Cup in Riyadh, when we were on the pitch celebrating, the first thing I said to my teamwas: When we get back, let's bring the trophy to Casa Milan. Let's take a photo with everyone. Because everyone has the right to see this trophy, not just the players . And when I say everyone, I mean everyone. Not just the masseurs or physiotherapists, but all of Milan, all of the commercial department, absolutely everyone. This is the most important thing. That's why our motto is Winning Together. That's how it is. You know what? In the end, my role doesn't matter. What matters is Milan. We want Milan to be successful. Everything we do here, we do for Milan. There is no ego, at least for me. I said, it's not a one-man show. I prefer to stay in the shadows, I don't even want to take any credit. Believe me, I told the boys: I don't even want to be in the photos or videos. Then I understood that they have to exploit certain dynamics, and I respect that. But trust me: if it were up to me, you wouldn't see me. I would just work. Work, work, work. Milan is the star. Not me. I'm here today, I'm here tomorrow, okay. But the day after tomorrow? Maybe I'm no longer here. Milan, on the other hand, continues to exist. And I do it for Milan, not for myself. Milan gave me happiness the first time. And it gave me happiness the second time too. But I don't do it for personal interest. I don't need this. I'm famous, I don't need money, and I don't even need followers. I do it for Milan.”
