Manchester City were the biggest beneficiaries of UEFA’s Club Benefits Programme, receiving the most money (€5.17 million / $5.94 million) by releasing players to national teams for a series of international competitions.
From the participation of players in the 2020–21 and 2022–23 Nations League cycles, Euro 2024 qualifiers, and the Euro 2024 tournament, UEFA disbursed a record €233 million to 901 clubs from its 55 member associations. The initiative aims to compensate clubs for their role in the success of the national team football.
Real Madrid, who they beat in the final, received 4.79 million euros, while Inter Milan banked 4.65 million euros. Payouts were drawn from based on a fixed fee per player per match during qualifiers and a daily rate for participating players in the final tournament.
The programme offered financial incentives to clubs at every level, with Yorkshire Amateur — who play in the 10th tier in England — to receive €7,300.
“It is amazing to see clubs of all sizes and levels gain from this,” UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said in a statement. “This programme shows that when football flourishes, everyone does.”
The total available for the current cycle rose from €70 million to €100 million, while the distribution for the European Championship climbed from €130 million to €140 million and 196 clubs in 29 countries benefitted.
