TA talks about the Club World Cup bonus: European teams are over 50 million dollars per team, and Auckland City uses money to build a new stadium

This New World Club Cup distributed $1 billion in bonuses to 32 participating teams, and The Athletic posted a document to count the whereabouts of these bonuses. Among the seven highest-paid clubs, six European clubs, with the only exception being Fruminense, who reached the semi-finals and won a total of US$60.8 million in prize money, which is equivalent to 82% of the club's total revenue in 2024, exceeding the annual revenue of 12 clubs in the Brazilian League last year. Brazil's two richest clubs: Flamenco and Palmeiras, also participated in this summer's Club Cup, winning $27.7 million and $39.8 million respectively, while Botafogo won $26.7 million.

Both Argentine clubs, Boca and River Plate, failed to qualify in the group. Except for each receiving $15.2 million in participation fees, the two teams combined 1 win and 3 draws, and only received an additional $5 million in bonuses. However, the participation of six teams from the South American Football Association has ensured that they become the second highest-paid football association, with a total prize of $190.5 million. Although it is more than 400 million less than UEFA, it is also more than the other four football associations combined. The 14 participating teams of the Central and North American and Caribbean Football Associations, the African Football Association, the Asian Football Association and the Oceania Football Association only received a total of US$186.4 million, with an average of US$13.3 million per team, which is lower than the participation fee for all teams except one European team.

Even if Atletico Madrid, Porto and Salzburg failed to qualify in the group, UEFA teams earned more than $50 million per team on average. Of course, this also covers up the distribution gap, such as Chelsea earning $114.6 million, while Red Bull Salzburg received only $15.8 million.

Of the 14 teams on four continents outside Europe and South America, only 3 teams advanced to the knockout stage, and the remaining 11 teams had a total record bonus of only US$11 million, and most of the income came from participation fees. Miami International, which successfully advanced to the knockout stage, won a prize of $21.1 million. Although it accounts for a small proportion of the club's revenue, it is still a considerable income, exceeding Messi's fixed annual salary of 20.4 million. Both Los Angeles FC and Seattle Bayers received almost only the entry fee, with their incomes of $10.6 million and $9.6 million respectively.

Japanese team Urawa Red Diamonds have a recent annual turnover of US$59.5 million. They earned 9.6 million in the Club World Cup. Although they have not won, this revenue also accounts for about one-sixth of their annual income. South African giants Mamelodi scored a record of one win, one draw and one loss at Sunset, with revenue of US$12.6 million, equivalent to one-third of their usual annual turnover.

The prize money for this event may intensify the competitive landscape of the domestic league. It is a good thing for those relatively rich clubs, but it is impossible to make a conclusion on how much it is considered too much. Although the outside world's focus has always been on the bonus, it is easy to forget that clubs need to go to the United States to compete first.

For example, Auckland City lost 0-10 against Bayern, but got a draw against Boca. They spent a lot of money on travel expenses, but the $4.6 million prize will bring considerable help. They will invest in building a new stadium for schools near New Zealand's home court. And Chelsea, like that, might use this money to pay UEFA fines.