How much is each Premier League position actually worth? While fans focus on trophies, European qualification, and relegation battles, the financial stakes behind every place in the table are just as significant. With hundreds of millions of pounds distributed across the league each season, even a single-place finish can have a major impact on a club’s revenue.
Using the most recent available figures from the 2024/25 campaign, this article breaks down exactly how Premier League prize money is distributed, how merit payments work, and how much each position in the table earns. From title winners to relegated sides, here’s a clear look at the financial rewards tied to every finishing place.
The official payments to each club for the 2025/26 season will not be made public until the summer of 2026, following the conclusion of the Premier League campaign.
However, figures from the 2024/25 season provide a reliable benchmark when estimating what each finishing position in the 2025/26 table could earn.Liverpool, who were crowned Premier League champions in 2024/25, received a total of £174.9m, while bottom-placed Southampton earned £109.2m.
Fixed Payments for Premier League Participation
Every Premier League club receives equal-share fixed payments from broadcasting and commercial revenue streams.
For the 2024/25 season, each club earned:
- £29.8m from domestic television rights
- £59.2m from international television rights
These payments are distributed evenly, regardless of league position.
What Are Facility Fees in the Premier League?
Facility fees are variable payments and are not distributed equally among clubs. They fall under the domestic broadcasting portion of the overall distribution model.
These fees are determined by how often a club is selected for live television broadcasts in the United Kingdom.
In 2024/25:
- Liverpool had 30 televised matches, earning £24.9m
- Arsenal had 29 matches, earning £24.2m
- Manchester United had 28 matches, earning £23.4m
- Aston Villa had 27 matches, earning £22.6m
- Chelsea had 26 matches, earning £21.8m
At the other end, Ipswich were shown the least, with 10 televised matches, earning £8.9m in facility fees.
For Premier League match previews and pre-match analysis articles – visit our Match Previews page.
New 2025/26 Premier League Television Deal
The 2025/26 season marks the beginning of a new domestic television rights cycle.
The Premier League secured a record £6.7bn UK broadcasting deal covering four seasons. Under this agreement, 267 of the 380 matches will be broadcast live across Sky Sports and TNT Sports.
Facility fees will continue to depend on how many matches each club has selected for broadcast. On average, each televised match is worth approximately £830,000, although this figure can vary slightly depending on the broadcaster.
How Much Does Each Premier League Position Pay in 2025/2026?
While official figures for 2025/26 are not yet available, the 2024/25 merit payments provide a strong indication of how prize money is distributed based on league position.
Merit payments are the only portion of Premier League revenue that is entirely dependent on final league standings. These figures combine both domestic and international merit distributions.
How much does each Premier League position earn?
Each Premier League position is worth approximately £2.6m–£2.7m more than the one below it in merit payments. In the 2024/25 season, first place earned £53.1m, while twentieth place received £2.6m, highlighting the significant financial value of every position in the table.
2024/25 Premier League Merit Payments by Position
| Position | Merit Payment |
| 1st | £53.1m |
| 2nd | £50.4m |
| 3rd | £47.7m |
| 4th | £45.0m |
| 5th | £42.4m |
| 6th | £39.8m |
| 7th | £37.1m |
| 8th | £34.5m |
| 9th | £31.9m |
| 10th | £29.1m |
| 11th | £26.5m |
| 12th | £23.8m |
| 13th | £21.2m |
| 14th | £18.6m |
| 15th | £15.9m |
| 16th | £13.3m |
| 17th | £10.7m |
| 18th | £7.9m |
| 19th | £5.3m |
| 20th | £2.6m |
In total, Liverpool earned £53.1m in merit payments as champions, while Southampton received £2.6m for finishing bottom of the table.
What Is the Prize Money Difference Between Premier League Positions?
Based on the 2024/25 distribution model, the difference in merit payments between each position in the Premier League table averages approximately £2.66m per place. This figure is calculated from the total gap between first place (£53.1m) and twentieth place (£2.6m), spread across the 19 positions in between. While the increases are not perfectly uniform – typically ranging between £2.6m and £2.8m per position – the overall structure of the merit system ensures a consistent financial incentive for every place gained in the table, reinforcing the competitive value of even the smallest positional improvements.
Why Every Premier League Position Matters Financially
The Premier League’s prize money structure ensures that every position in the table carries real financial weight. With an average increase of around £2.6m – £2.7m per place, even small movements up the standings can significantly boost a club’s overall revenue.
While fixed payments from broadcasting deals provide stability, it is the merit-based distribution that truly reflects on-pitch performance. As the league continues to grow commercially – especially with the introduction of new television deals – the financial gap between positions is likely to increase further, making every point and every place more valuable than ever.
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