Every spring, fans across England tune in to the EFL Championship Playoff Final at Wembley Stadium. However, this is no ordinary football match. This single 90-minute match, dubbed “the richest game in football,” carries far more stakes than promotion; it represents a financial windfall that can transform a club’s future overnight.
Premier League Prize: More than £100 million
At the heart of this game’s enormous value is the Premier League’s lucrative revenue model. Promotion gives the winning club access to:
• Broadcast and TV rights: The Premier League’s global media reach guarantees each club over £100 million in revenue, even in the first year alone.
• Central payments: Clubs also receive additional money from the Premier League’s central commercial and partnership deals.
• Increased commercial potential: Promotion brings heightened visibility, allowing clubs to attract larger sponsorship deals, more merchandise sales, and boosted matchday revenue.
Parachute Payments: A Financial Safety Net
Even if a club is relegated after just one season in the top flight, they are protected financially through parachute payments, which cushion the economic impact:
• Year 1: ~£45 million
• Year 2: ~£35 million
• Year 3: ~£15 million (if eligible)
These payments are intended to help newly relegated teams adjust to the loss of Premier League revenue while maintaining a competitive squad.
Estimated Windfall: Up to £200 million
According to Deloitte, the total value of winning the Championship playoff final — after accounting for media revenue, parachute payments, and commercial gains — can exceed £170-200 million over three years. This makes it more profitable than winning many major cup competitions.
A 90-minute gamble at Wembley
What makes this even more dramatic is that the reward is based on a single match. Two clubs, often evenly matched, compete for promotion. The winner takes the spotlight in the Premier League. The loser remains in the Championship, with a fraction of the revenue and a new uphill battle.
While Champions League finals and World Cup matches may have more prestige or global attention, no football match matches the EFL Championship Playoff Final in terms of financial value. For clubs, players, and fans, it’s more than just a match; it’s a high-stakes entry into football’s most lucrative league.
