The curtain has closed on the inaugural 32-team edition of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, and with Chelsea crowned champions after a stunning 3-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain, much of the post-tournament discussion has shifted to the financial windfall for clubs involved. With top-tier soccer and a revamped structure came an equally massive prize pot—though just how much each team walked away with remained one of the tournament’s most closely watched mysteries.
But now, as the dust settles, the numbers tell a story of record-breaking revenue, smart broadcasting deals, and a clear domination by European clubs when it comes to soccer’s newest gold rush.
Held in the United States for the first time and featuring 32 teams from every confederation, the 2025 edition marked a giant leap from the old seven-team format. While the spectacle was lauded by some and criticized by others, one thing is certain—FIFA spared no expense in ensuring its success.
Behind the scenes, a $1 billion broadcast rights deal with DAZN helped fund an equally massive prize pot. Interestingly, that deal coincided with the Saudi Public Investment Fund acquiring a 10% stake in DAZN, shortly before FIFA announced Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 World Cup.
The numbers behind the glory
So, how was that $1 billion divided? According to FIFA and the Club World Cup 2025 financial report, the breakdown was, $475 million for participation fees and $525 million based on sporting performance. That means even the lowest-ranked clubs walked away with millions, while the finalists saw eye-popping totals.
Top earners from the Club World Cup 2025:
- Chelsea: $114.6 million
- Paris Saint-Germain: $106.9 million
- Real Madrid: $82.5 million
- Fluminense: $60.8 million
- Bayern Munich: $58.2 million
- Borussia Dortmund: $52.3 million
- Manchester City: $51.7 million
- Palmeiras: $39.8 million
- Inter: $36.8 million
- Al-Hilal: $34.2 million
While Chelsea and PSG were the only two clubs to breach the $100 million mark, six of the top eight earners were European, underlining their continued dominance in global club soccer—not just on the pitch, but also in the bank.
South American sides also fared well, with Brazil’s Fluminense, Palmeiras, Flamengo, and Botafogo all earning respectable payouts. On the other hand, Auckland City, representing Oceania, walked away with a modest $4.6 million, the lowest in the field.
