8. UEFA Champions League (Football): $2.5 million
You would think that the highest football tournament, FIFA world cup, will give the largest cash prize among other football tournaments. But it is the UEFA Champions League which does.
This annual tournament between the best football clubs in Europe announced their €1.1 billion total pool of cash prize to be divided among the participants. Even from the playoff, €3 million is given to each eliminated team.
All of the 32 participating team in the group stage will get €12 million each. This is the highest participation bonus in football tournament. Just like UEFA Euro, the cash prize increases as they advance further in the tournament. For the performance bonus, each team that wins a group stage match will get €1.5 million per win and €500,000 for a draw.
€5.5 million is awarded to each team advancing to Round of 16, €6 million for Quarter Final, €7 million for Semifinals, €10.5 million for Runner Ups, and €15 million for Final. The winning team has the potential to win at least €50 million ($56 million). Divided to all players, each of them will get approximately $2.5 million.
