Manchester City and Chelsea are poised to receive summer windfalls of up to £60 million following FIFA’s $1 billion broadcast agreement with DAZN for exclusive rights to televise the Club World Cup.
According to *Mail Sport*, while final figures are yet to be confirmed, both clubs have been informed to expect payouts between £50 million and £60 million for their participation in the tournament, scheduled to take place in the United States next year. This lucrative deal with the UK-based broadcaster was finalized last week and marks a significant milestone for the competition.
The enormous payouts could spark envy among Premier League rivals, many of whom undertake summer tours overseas that generate only a fraction of such earnings—typically about 10% of £60 million, according to insiders. The financial boost for City and Chelsea could also impact the Premier League’s financial regulations, potentially fueling claims of an unfair advantage.
Manchester City secured their spot as reigning Champions League winners, while Chelsea qualified as the last English club to win the tournament. However, the selection process for other clubs appears less straightforward. Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders will represent the United States despite both being eliminated early in the MLS playoffs, which were ultimately won by LA Galaxy.
The announcement was shared at a meeting preceding last week’s draw. Reports suggest major European clubs will receive a larger share of the revenue pot, a move designed to encourage them to field their top players despite ongoing concerns over player fatigue. Additionally, a solidarity fund will distribute payments to the football associations of the 32 participating clubs’ nations, with the FA among the beneficiaries.
The precise payouts may vary depending on sponsorship revenue. To date, FIFA has secured deals with Hisense, AB InBev, and Bank of America but hopes to attract up to 10 major partners. The DAZN agreement is expected to aid those efforts significantly.
The tournament, beginning mid-June, will be broadcast free-to-air worldwide on DAZN, a platform that has faced significant financial losses since its launch. Speculation has also emerged about potential Saudi Arabian funding to support the streaming service.
The announcement of DAZN’s involvement coincided with the expanded tournament’s draw. Twelve European clubs will participate, including Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Juventus.
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