Tottenham Hotspur are back in the Champions League after a two-year absence and with the competition now in its new, elongated format, the Lilywhites will stand to earn a huge amount of additional revenue next season.
It had been well-documented over the last few weeks that Spurs were not in a financially healthy position heading into the summer window.
With the club’s net transfer debt standing at £279.3m, various outlets reported that Tottenham have to sell players before they can buy this summer.
That is why the Europa League win and the prize of Champions League qualification that comes with it, have proven to be a huge boost for the Lilywhites ahead of the transfer window.
How much additional revenue will Tottenham earn from the Champions League?
Liverpool University football finance lecturer Kieran Maguire has now spoken exclusively to Spurs Web about how Tottenham’s finances will be affected by their qualification for the Champions League.
He estimates that, given the new format of the competition, Spurs will turn in a gross profit of around £180m from the tournament and a net profit of around £100m, including the broadcast revenue, matchday receipts and sponsor bonuses.
Maguire said: “Tottenham Hotspur football club should make a minimum of £50 million to £60 million pounds from the broadcast deal, and that’s even if they get knocked out in the group stages, which I don’t think anybody would expect. If they get to, say, the quarter-finals of the Champions League, I think we’re looking well in excess of £100 million.
“As far as home matches are concerned, with a sold-out Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, you’re going to generate £6 million a match. You’ve got a minimum of four, potentially a maximum of eight matches, so we’re probably looking at somewhere in the region of £25 million to £50 million from ticket sales.
“There’ll be sponsor bonuses as well, so when you add it all up, you could be looking at something close to £180 million of extra money coming into Spurs.
“Against that, the players will have significant bonuses in terms of clauses in their contracts for Champions League qualification. You’ll have the extra costs of hosting games and the costs of going to away fixtures in Europe as well.
“Even so, there’s no reason why Tottenham can’t be looking at an overall boost to their revenues on their profits on a net basis of £80 million to £100 million. Even if they have a mediocre season, you’re talking £50 million to £60 million.”
Maguire points out that Champions League qualification comes with challenges
However, the football finance expert pointed out that Champions League qualification also requires Tottenham to invest significantly in their squad this summer in order to be able to compete on multiple fronts.
Maguire also suggests that participation in the tournament could negatively affect Spurs’ league position, which will cost the club in terms of prize money.
He added: “You also have to acknowledge the fact that if they are playing in Europe in next season, of course, they are, they’re going to need a bigger squad and a stronger squad, so the money will have to be invested in players, and that’s going to cost in both transfer fees and wages. You’ve also got the routine of Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, Tuesday fixtures, and so on, taking place each week.
“Remember, for each position, you are lower in the Premier League each season, it could cost you about £3.5 million in lost prize money. Although let’s be honest, Tottenham’s league finish can’t really get much worse than this season so that can only be a positive in 2025/26.”