The London clubs have travelled the length and breadth of the Continent this season, visiting countries including Belarus, Ukraine, Greece and Hungary for the finals of Europa league. But it will all be worth it for either Arsenal or Chelsea in the end when the Europa League trophy gets lifted by the winning captain.
More is on the line for Unai Emery’s men as a Europa League win would see them qualify for next season’s Champions League, whereas Chelsea are in Europe’s premier club competition in 2019/20 regardless as they finished third in the Premier League.
As well as the glory of competing for a trophy, Arsenal and Chelsea have injected some funds into their respective accounts on their way to the final.
Similar to the Champions League, the prize money received by the clubs is divided into fixed payments.
That is based on participation and results, as well as variable amounts which depend of the value of their respective TV markets.
For this season, group stage participation in the Europa League awarded a base fee of €2,920,000 (£2.5m). A victory in the group paid €570,000 (£489,000) and a draw €190,000 (£163,000). Each group winner earned €1,000,000 (£858,000) and each runner-up €500,000 (£429,000).
Reaching the knock-out stage triggers additional bonuses: €500,000 (£429,000) for the round of 32, €1,100,000 (£944,000) for the round of 16 and €1,500,000 (£1.29m) for the quarter-finals.
Arsenal and Chelsea both topped their groups at the back end of 2018, meaning they each would have received £858,000. The Gunners won five of their six matches, drawing the other in Group E, which would total £2.61m, and Chelsea would have received the same as they managed the same results in Group L.
The semi-finals earns €2,400,000 (£2.06m).
The losing finalists receive €4,500,000 (£3.86m).
Finally, the Europa League champions will get €8,500,000 (£7.3m) this year.
The figures will be confirmed once the tournament comes to an end.