How much is the Championship Play-Off Final worth? Sheffield United and Sunderland battle in ‘richest game in football’

The Championship play-off final is often dubbed the ‘richest game in football’ and it will take centre-stage this weekend. 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. Southampton won last year’s Championship Play-Off FinalGetty 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 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 Jobe Bellingham is one win away from becoming a Premier League playerGetty 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. Sheffield United cruised through their play-off semi-finalPhoto by Carl Recine/Getty Images 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. Both play-off finalists will bag about £2m from Wembley gate receipts Championship Play-Off Final: talkSPORT BET Odds Match odds: Sheffield United – 13/10 Draw – 2/1 Sunderland – 21/10 *odds subject to change. 18+ gambleaware.org Visit talkSPORT BET for all the latest football betting odds and bet boosts

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How much is the Championship Play-Off Final worth? Sheffield United and Sunderland battle in ‘richest game in football’

The Championship play-off final is often dubbed the ‘richest game in football’ and it will take centre-stage this weekend.

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.

Southampton won last year’s Championship Play-Off Final
Getty

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 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

Jobe Bellingham is one win away from becoming a Premier League player
Getty

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.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Chris Wilder, Manager of Sheffield United, reacts during the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Semi Final Second Leg match between Sheffield United and Bristol City at Bramall Lane on May 12, 2025 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Sheffield United cruised through their play-off semi-final
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images

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.

Both play-off finalists will bag about £2m from Wembley gate receipts

Championship Play-Off Final: talkSPORT BET Odds

Match odds:

  • Sheffield United – 13/10
  • Draw – 2/1
  • Sunderland – 21/10

*odds subject to change. 18+ gambleaware.org

Visit talkSPORT BET for all the latest football betting odds and bet boosts

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