Championship Play-Off Final win worth at least £160m to Fulham or Aston Villa

Big money match | Fulham's clash with Aston Villa is the most lucrative in football
PA
James Benge22 May 2018

Saturday’s Championship Play-Off Final between Fulham and Aston Villa will be worth at least £160million to the winners.

The battle to join Wolves and Cardiff City in the Premier League could eventually net either side over £280million should they manage to preserve their top flight status next season.

The Play-Off Final has long been the most financially lucrative fixture in world football, with the figures, calculated by Deloitte, remaining at the same level as last season due to the record-breaking three year broadcast deal the Premier League agreed for the 2017-18 to 2019-20 campaigns.

Whichever side secures promotion will benefit from additional revenue of at least £160m over the next three seasons.

"All eyes will be on Wembley on Saturday afternoon for this winner-takes-all clash," said head of Deloitte’s sports business group Dan Jones.

"It will be, as ever, a fantastic advert for the competitive intensity of the Championship and the financial attraction of the Premier League."

The match ends just before Liverpool take on Real Madrid in the Champions League final and although that game may carry a greater level of prestige the financial stakes in Kiev pale in comparison with those at Wembley.

In Pictures | Fulham vs Derby County | 14/05/2018

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Jones explained: ”The difference between winning and losing for Liverpool this weekend, is a mere £4m in distributions from UEFA and they are already assured of appearing in next year's competition.”

As if the financial rewards weren’t significant enough for Fulham Saturday’s game could dictate the make up of their squad for next season. The Cottagers are optimistic of retaining Tom Cairney, Ryan Fredericks and Ryan Sessegnon - all of whom are of interest to Premier League sides - if they are promoted but the task will be far tougher if they remain in the Championship.

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