World Cup Corner

According to a study for sponsors Mastercard this season’s UEFA Champions League winner could earn up to 100 million euros on top of prize money and tournament gate receipts. Increased sponsorship, extra television revenue, higher attendances and inflated player values look set to swell the victorious club’s coffers long after they lift the trophy in Athens on May 23.

The 100 million euros figure does not include cash awarded to the winners by UEFA. The European governing body says the successful club could receive as much as 40 million euros in prize money, including television revenue but not gate receipts.

It’s not just the clubs that benefit from Champions League glory. The city of Liverpool received an estimated 70 million euros boost last year through increased consumer spending, tourism, sponsorship and commerce after FC Liverpool won the trophy in 2005. The effect on Barcelona from their 2006 victory has yet to be calculated.