Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are in contention to reach the Europa League final, with both clubs seeing the tournament as a chance to salvage disappointing domestic campaigns while also securing significant financial rewards.
United, under Ruben Amorim’s guidance, face Athletic Bilbao in their semi-final after completing a remarkable comeback against Lyon in the previous round. Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham take on Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, with both English clubs hoping to set up an all-Premier League final.
The financial incentives for Europa League success are substantial. Both clubs have already guaranteed themselves £3.54 million by reaching the semi-finals. Advancing to the final would secure at least £5.9 million for the runner-up, while the champion receives a prize of £10.95 million.
These figures represent just the performance-based portion of UEFA’s distribution system, with additional revenue coming from participation fees and broadcasting rights. Each victory in the league phase earned clubs £379,201, with draws worth £126,400.
The Europa League’s financial structure, while lucrative, still falls significantly short of Champions League rewards. The winner of Europe’s premier competition receives £21.1 million—nearly double the Europa League prize—with runners-up earning £15 million.
Beyond the financial implications, success in this competition could have significant ramifications for both managers. Postecoglou faces mounting pressure at Spurs after an inconsistent first season, while Amorim needs to demonstrate progress following his mid-season appointment at Old Trafford.
For both clubs, Europa League glory would not only provide a prestigious trophy but also secure automatic qualification for next season’s Champions League—a crucial achievement given their current league positions. This additional pathway to Europe’s elite competition adds further weight to their remaining European fixtures.
