Sunderland and Sheffield United clash for Premier League promotion in football’s richest game
This weekend, Sunderland and Sheffield United will face off at Wembley in the highly anticipated EFL Championship play-off final, widely known as the “richest game in football.”
At stake is not only a coveted spot in the Premier League but also a massive financial windfall for the winner. The victor will rise to the top tier of English football after a grueling 49-game season, gaining the chance to compete with the best teams and players in the world.
For Sheffield United, it’s a chance to bounce straight back to the Premier League, while Sunderland aim to return to the top flight after years away. Promotion via the play-off route brings not just prestige but also a major economic boost.
Championship play-off prize money: Massive rewards await final winner
The financial stakes for the Championship play-off final are sky-high. While both Sunderland and Sheffield United will share around £2 million from Wembley ticket sales, the real value lies in future earnings.
Dubbed the “richest game in football,” the winner of the 2025 final is set to gain at least £220 million in additional revenue, a significant rise from last year’s £140 million, according to the BBC.
Back in 2005, the final was worth just £31 million, but its value has surged with recent broadcast deals. The winning club will receive a share of the new £6.7 billion domestic TV contract, marking a huge financial leap for either side.
Beyond the headline £220 million, the Championship play-off winner will also earn facility fees, centralised commercial revenue, and merit bonuses just for competing in the Premier League.
If the promoted club avoids relegation in their first season, the financial gains could extend significantly over five years. However, if they do go back down, they may qualify for parachute payments to cushion the drop—funding currently going to Sheffield, which would end if they beat Sunderland.
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