The Championship play-off final is often dubbed the ‘richest game in football’ and it will take centre stage this afternoon.
At the end of a gruelling 49-game season, promotion to the Premier League will be the prize for one team, but there’s more on the line than just top-flight action.
Sheffield United will take on Sunderland at Wembley in this year’s showpiece match, aiming to go straight back up.
Reaching the promised land brings each club a huge injection of cash as well as the chance to play against some of the world’s best.
But just how lucrative is it to reach England’s top flight via the Wembley route?
talkSPORT.com takes a look…
Championship play-off final prize money
Winning the Championship play-off final is worth an incredible amount.
It is not the money received directly from coming out on top in the game, although both Championship play-off finalists will receive a share of the gate receipts from Wembley, which is about £2million.
However, it is more the future benefits that the successful club will receive that make this the ‘richest game in football’.
Chris Wilder’s side and Sunderland both know that a win at Wembley would mean a gigantic financial boost for either club.
According to the BBC, the winners of the 2025 final will receive a minimum of £220m in extra income, an increase on last year’s £140m.
The Championship playoff final was worth around £31m in 2005, with a new TV rights deal seeing its value skyrocket.
Championship play-off final value
- 2025 – £220m
- 2024 – £140m
- 2023 – £170m
- 2022 – £170m
- 2021 – £178m
- 2020 – £135m
- 2019 – £170m
- 2018 – £160m
- 2017- £170m
- 2016 – £170m
- 2015 – £120m
- 2014 – £80m
One of Sheffield United or Sunderland will earn a share of the new domestic TV deal, which is worth £6.7billion across four seasons.
They will also receive centralised commercial fees, facility fees and merit payments just for being in the Premier League.
That could rise over five years if the club avoids relegation in their first season in the top-flight.
On the flip side, the promoted club could be entitled to parachute payments if they are relegated back to the Championship.
Sheffield United are the current beneficiaries of the financial handout, yet those would stop if they beat Sunderland.
The Blades made a net profit of more than £30m following their relegation last year – mainly due to the sales of Cameron Archer to Aston Villa and William Osula to Newcastle.
Championship Play-off Final: talkSPORT coverage
The 2024/25 Championship Play-Off Final will take place on Saturday, May 24, at Wembley Stadium.
Kick-off time is scheduled for 3pm.
talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will have live coverage of the final.
Adrian Durham will be your presenter, with commentary from Sam Matterface, former Sunderland striker Darren Bent and ex-Blackpool boss Ian Holloway.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
It will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Championship Play-Off Final: talkSPORT BET Odds
Match odds:
*odds subject to change. 18+ gambleaware.org
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