LEAGUE OF IRELAND clubs are set to receive a massive financial boost in Champions League and Europa League prize money this season.
SSE Airtricity League champions Dundalk will receive a minimum of €550,000 from their participation in the Champions League — even if they fail to win a match.
That’s almost 50% more than the €375,000 cashed in by St Patrick’s Athletic for playing in the 2014/2015 competition.
The increased prize money was announced today by UEFA and the European Club Association, and will apply for three years from 2015 to 2018.
It dwarfs the €100,000 Dundalk collected in 2014 as league champions.
The Lilywhites will begin their European adventure in the Champions League second qualifying round, worth €300,000 in prize money, with that windfall rising to €700,000 if they progress to the third qualifying round.
In addition, any league champion that does not qualify for the group stage proper of the Champions League is entitled to a further €250,000.
Cork City, St Pat’s and Shamrock Rovers will also share in the increased prize pools for the Europa League this season.
All three will enter the competition’s first qualifying round, worth €200,000. Any club which reaches the second or third qualifying round would now be entitled to €410,000 or €630,000 respectively.
