How much is the Championship play-off final worth?

The Championship Play-off final is often referred to as “the richest game in football” due to the significant financial gains associated with promotion to the Premier League, but how much is it actually worth?.

As Luton Town and Coventry City prepare to battle it out in the 2023 instalment of this crucial match, it’s worth exploring the true value of the Play-off final and the implications it holds for the victorious club.

Financial Rewards of Premier League Promotion

Promotion to the Premier League brings forth a multitude of financial benefits, ranging from sponsorships and increased matchday revenue to media and broadcast deals.

According to analysis by Deloitte before last season’s final between Huddersfield and Nottingham Forest, promoted sides could anticipate a minimum revenue increase of £170 million across the next three seasons.

If the promoted club manages to survive its first season in the Premier League, this additional revenue could soar to over £300 million across five years.

Coventry v Luton Play-off Final Preview

Television Broadcast Deals

One of the major contributors to the financial windfall for promoted teams is the lucrative television broadcast deals associated with the Premier League.

The current TV broadcast deal amounts to a staggering £5.1 billion, which is shared among the Premier League clubs based on a base sum, league positions, and the number of televised matches.

The Premier League has secured approval in principle for a three-year renewal of its TV rights deal with UK broadcast partners, including Sky Sports.

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 13, 2021

In stark contrast, Championship clubs receive approximately £8 million in TV rights per season spent in the second tier.

Implications and Costs

While the financial rewards of promotion are undoubtedly substantial, there are also significant costs associated with competing in the top tier.

For instance, if Luton Town secures promotion, they will need to invest at least £10 million to upgrade their Kenilworth Road stadium to comply with the Premier League’s broadcasting and facility requirements.

◾️Where will Luton Town play if promoted to Premier League? 🏆
◾️Is it possible for Kenilworth Road to host Premier League games? 🏟️
◾️Renovations at current stadium 🚧
◾️Plans for a new arena in Luton 🔜

🔗 https://t.co/CwgQD8KKEH pic.twitter.com/xrpYA79B1X

— StadiumDB.com (@StadiumDB) May 17, 2023

Additionally, Luton has ambitions to construct a new 23,000-seat stadium, a project estimated to cost around £100 million.

Player Recruitment and Squad Strengthening

Promoted teams face the challenge of strengthening their squads to compete with the established Premier League teams.

The step up in quality demands increased investment in new players to have any chance of avoiding relegation. Nottingham Forest serves as a recent example, having spent close to £200 million in rebuilding their team for Premier League survival.

Although not all teams may spend such hefty sums, the general consensus is that substantial investment is often required to remain competitive in the top flight.

The Risk of Relegation

While parachute payments and solidarity payments can provide some financial cushioning for relegated teams, the consequences of spending heavily in an attempt to secure Premier League survival can be severe.

Clubs that go all-out to maintain their top-flight status may face financial struggles when relegated, dealing with the burden of running costs and player wages.

Sunderland’s relegation from the Premier League in 2017 serves as a cautionary tale, as the club plummeted all the way down to League One.

Coventry v Luton Play-off Final Preview