The Carabao Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley this Sunday is set to be a thrilling encounter, but the official prize money on offer often surprises fans with its relatively modest sums. While the trophy itself holds immense prestige, the financial rewards are a fraction of those seen in other major competitions.
Winner's and Runner-Up Payouts
The victorious team will receive a prize of £100,000 for lifting the Carabao Cup. Although this is a significant amount in absolute terms, it is frequently noted that it barely covers a single week's wages for many of the star players involved in the match. The losing side will not depart empty-handed, as they are awarded £50,000, highlighting a 50% reduction from the winner's share and underscoring the "winner takes most" nature of the final's financial structure.
Comparison to the FA Cup
The financial incentive for the Carabao Cup is vastly lower than England’s primary knockout competition, the FA Cup. For context, winning the FA Cup provides a substantial £2 million payout, which is a staggering 20 times the amount awarded for the League Cup. This disparity underscores the Carabao Cup's secondary status in terms of monetary rewards, despite its high-profile final.
Gate Receipt Revenue and Additional Earnings
Despite the low official prize money, both Arsenal and Manchester City will benefit significantly from a 45% split of the gate receipts at Wembley. With a sold-out crowd of 90,000 spectators, this revenue typically reaches into the millions of pounds, far eclipsing the official trophy winnings and providing a crucial financial boost to the clubs.
In addition, both clubs have already secured £25,000 each for their participation in the semi-finals. This amount is fixed for the four teams that reach the final four, regardless of their performance in those specific legs, offering a baseline reward for their progress in the tournament.
Early Round Payouts and Total Prize Pool
The prize money for the earlier stages of the Carabao Cup is even more marginal, starting at just £5,000 for first-round winners. These smaller sums are primarily intended to help lower-league clubs cover travel and operational costs rather than act as a major windfall, supporting grassroots football across England.
The total prize fund for the entire 2025/26 tournament sits at approximately £1 million. This pool is distributed across all 92 participating clubs from the Premier League and the English Football League, ensuring a broad allocation of funds throughout the competition's stages.
European Qualification Bonus
Beyond the cash prizes, the winner of the Carabao Cup earns a spot in the UEFA Conference League play-offs for the next season. However, since both Manchester City and Arsenal are currently competing at the top of the Premier League and likely to qualify for European competitions through their league positions, this "prize" will probably be transferred to the next highest-placed team in the Premier League, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the tournament's outcomes.
