How much is Championship play-off final really worth? Brentford and Fulham fight for richest prize in football

The match is widely regarded as the most valuable one-off match in the world, as it unlocks the door to Premier League television revenue and parachute payments

Brentford stand to earn around £160million in additional revenue over the next three seasons if they beat Fulham in Tuesday’s EFL Championship play-off final, sports finance experts Deloitte have estimated.

The financial prize of promotion would be slightly less for the Cottagers, at £135m of additional revenue.

The additional revenue figure could rise to around £265m over a five-year period if the promoted club survive their first season in the top flight, Deloitte said.

The Championship play-off final is widely regarded as the most valuable one-off match in the world, as it unlocks the door to Premier League television revenue and parachute payments.

Brentford would earn slightly more than Fulham because they are not currently in receipt of parachute payments, Deloitte said.

Dan Jones, partner and head of the sports business group at Deloitte, commented: “This season’s Championship has been temporarily interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, however as the season comes to a close, all eyes will be on Wembley in what still remains world football’s biggest financial, winner-takes-all, prize match.

“Despite the disruption to the season, the league has remained extremely competitive at the top end of the table, and yet again the play-off semi-finals have provided supporters and neutral football fans with excellent entertainment.”

Championship winners Leeds would also benefit to the tune of £160m over three years, Deloitte said.

The group said that 63 per cent of sides promoted in the 10 seasons to 2018-19 had survived their first campaign.

Tim Bridge, director in Deloitte’s sports business group, added: “The financial prize for Brentford or Fulham, as well as Leeds and West Brom, is likely to be in excess of £265m if they survive their first season in the Premier League.

“Furthermore, given the recent impact of Covid-19, it is likely that the financial impact of promotion will be better received than ever before. The increased revenue provides these clubs with the platform from which they can develop on and off the pitch.

“Promotion to the Premier League provides clubs with the financial resources to make strategic investments. While this typically includes increased expenditure in on-pitch playing talent, it still remains important that promoted clubs are committed to their longer-term financial responsibility.”