The 2025-26 Premier League season has concluded, with Arsenal crowned champions for the first time in 22 years. The final table brought a fresh look, with Arsenal at the summit and Wolves' eight-year top-flight stint ending in relegation. Each club's prize money, determined by final position, has been confirmed, highlighting the financial stakes involved.
Champions Lead the Way
Arsenal secured the largest merit payment of £54 million after clinching the title. Their triumph was sealed in midweek with a comfortable victory over Crystal Palace. The Gunners now look ahead to the Champions League final against PSG in six days, where further financial rewards await. Runners-up Manchester City, in Pep Guardiola's final match in charge, received £51.3 million.
Europe and Mid-Table Battles
Aston Villa finished fourth, earning £45.9 million, £2.6 million more than fifth-placed Liverpool. Bournemouth secured sixth spot and £40.5 million, while Sunderland, in their remarkable first season back in the top flight, claimed seventh and £37.8 million, securing European football. Brighton (£35.1m), Brentford (£32.4m), and Chelsea (£29.7m) rounded out the top ten.
Relegation and Financial Impact
At the bottom, Tottenham secured survival on the final day with a result against Everton, earning just £10.8 million for 17th place. However, remaining in the Premier League guarantees over £100 million in total revenue. West Ham, despite beating Leeds, were relegated to the Championship, taking £8.1 million in merit money. Their overall revenue will plummet, though parachute payments will provide approximately £46 million (55% of equal-share broadcast revenue) in the first season. Burnley (£5.4m) and Wolves (£2.7m) also face financial challenges in the second tier.
Full Merit Payment Breakdown
- 1. Arsenal - £54m
- 2. Manchester City - £51.3m
- 3. Manchester United - £48.6m
- 4. Aston Villa - £45.9m
- 5. Liverpool - £43.2m
- 6. Bournemouth - £40.5m
- 7. Sunderland - £37.8m
- 8. Brighton - £35.1m
- 9. Brentford - £32.4m
- 10. Chelsea - £29.7m
- 11. Fulham - £27m
- 12. Newcastle - £24.3m
- 13. Everton - £21.6m
- 14. Leeds - £18.9m
- 15. Crystal Palace - £16.2m
- 16. Nottingham Forest - £13.5m
- 17. Tottenham - £10.8m
- 18. West Ham - £8.1m
- 19. Burnley - £5.4m
- 20. Wolves - £2.7m
Beyond merit payments, every Premier League club earns over £100 million from broadcast and commercial revenue. This includes approximately £90 million from international and domestic broadcast deals, divided equally, plus around £7.9 million from central commercial streams. The financial gulf between the top flight and the Championship underscores the importance of survival.
