The 2025/26 Premier League season delivered drama at both ends of the table, but once the final whistle blew, attention quickly turned toward the huge financial rewards on offer. Every club receives merit payments based on where they finish in the standings, with the gap between each position worth millions of pounds. Arsenal walked away with the biggest share after ending their long wait for the title, while Wolves were left counting the cost of relegation. From surprise overachievers to fallen giants, here’s how much every Premier League club earned this season.
20. Wolverhampton Wanderers – £2.7m
Wolves finished rock bottom of the Premier League and received the smallest merit payment available. Their £2.7 million payout only underlines the financial damage that comes with relegation from England’s top flight. Years of selling key players without properly replacing them eventually caught up with the club, and the lack of investment showed across the season. Wolves struggled for consistency from the opening weeks and never truly looked capable of surviving. The club now faces a huge rebuilding job in the Championship.
19. Burnley – £5.4m
Burnley’s return to the Premier League lasted just one season as they failed to avoid relegation. A £5.4 million merit payment offers little comfort after another difficult campaign at this level. Despite showing moments of promise, Burnley lacked the quality and experience needed to survive in such a competitive league. Defensive issues haunted them throughout the year, while goals were often difficult to come by. The focus will now shift toward securing an immediate return to the top flight.
18. West Ham United – £8.1m
West Ham suffered one of the most painful endings to the season after being relegated on the final day. Their 3-0 victory over Leeds United briefly gave supporters hope, but Tottenham’s win over Everton confirmed the Hammers’ drop to the Championship. Just three years after lifting the Europa Conference League trophy, the London club now faces a completely different reality. The £8.1 million payout reflects how disastrous the campaign ultimately became. Serious questions will now be asked about the club’s future direction.
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17. Tottenham Hotspur – £10.8m
Tottenham survived relegation by the narrowest of margins and secured £10.8 million in merit prize money. Joao Palhinha’s decisive goal against Everton proved enough to keep Spurs in the Premier League for another season. While the payout itself is relatively modest, avoiding relegation was worth far more financially and emotionally. The campaign exposed major problems throughout the squad, with inconsistency and defensive struggles nearly costing them their top-flight status. Spurs now face a massive summer rebuild.
16. Nottingham Forest – £13.5m
Nottingham Forest ended the season in 16th place and collected £13.5 million for their efforts. Although survival was their primary objective, Forest also managed to enjoy an impressive run in Europe during the campaign. Balancing domestic and continental football proved difficult at times, but they ultimately achieved their main goal by staying up. The club showed resilience during key moments of the season when pressure was at its highest. Forest supporters will now hope for greater stability next year.
15. Crystal Palace – £16.2m
Crystal Palace secured a 15th-place finish and earned £16.2 million in merit payments. Their league campaign may have been underwhelming overall, but reaching the Europa Conference League final still gave supporters something to celebrate. Oliver Glasner’s side showed flashes of quality throughout the year without ever producing enough consistency to climb higher in the table. Injuries and defensive problems prevented Palace from building momentum during crucial periods. Even so, they comfortably avoided any real relegation danger.
14. Leeds United – £18.9m
Leeds United enjoyed a respectable first season back in the Premier League after promotion from the Championship. Their 14th-place finish brought in £18.9 million and represented a solid platform to build upon. Leeds approached the season with energy and intensity, traits that helped them compete against more established sides. Survival was always the main objective, and they achieved it with relative comfort. Supporters will now hope the club can continue progressing rather than simply battling relegation again next year.
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13. Everton – £21.6m
Everton collected £21.6 million after finishing 13th in the table. The season marked a historic moment for the club as it was their first Premier League campaign away from Goodison Park. While they never seriously threatened the European places, Everton showed enough resilience to stay clear of danger for most of the season. Their performances at home were particularly important in securing survival. Stability now appears to be returning to the club after several turbulent years.
12. Newcastle United – £24.3m
Newcastle United’s 12th-place finish was widely viewed as one of the biggest disappointments of the season. The club’s ambitious owners and heavy spending had created expectations of European qualification, making the £24.3 million payout feel underwhelming. Eddie Howe came under increasing pressure as results failed to improve consistently throughout the year. Injuries, poor form and uncertainty surrounding several star players all contributed to a frustrating campaign. Newcastle now faces an important summer as they try to get back on track.
11. Fulham – £27m
Fulham once again proved themselves to be one of the Premier League’s most reliable mid-table sides. Their 11th-place finish earned the club £27 million and reflected another stable season under strong management. Fulham rarely looked in danger of relegation and regularly frustrated bigger opponents with their organisation and discipline. While they lacked the consistency needed to challenge for Europe, they comfortably achieved their objectives. The club continues to build quietly but effectively.
10. Chelsea – £29.7m
Chelsea endured another disappointing Premier League campaign despite massive investment in recent transfer windows. Finishing 10th and receiving £29.7 million falls well below expectations for a club of their stature. The reigning Club World Cup champions struggled to find rhythm domestically, with inconsistency becoming a recurring issue throughout the season. Questions remain over whether the squad has the balance needed to compete at the highest level again. Missing out on European football also represents a major financial setback.
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9. Brentford – £32.4m
Brentford continued to outperform expectations and secured a top-half finish once again. Their ninth-place position earned them £32.4 million and further strengthened their reputation as one of the smartest-run clubs in English football. Despite operating with far smaller resources than many rivals, Brentford consistently competed with established Premier League sides. Strong recruitment and tactical discipline once again proved crucial to their success. The club’s progress shows no signs of slowing down.
8. Brighton – £35.1m
Brighton collected £35.1 million after finishing eighth in the Premier League table. Another strong campaign highlighted the club’s ability to remain competitive despite regularly losing important players and staff. Brighton continued to play attractive football while producing impressive performances against several top sides. Their recruitment model remains one of the best in Europe and has allowed them to consistently punch above their weight. An eighth-place finish represents another excellent achievement for the Seagulls.
7. Sunderland – £37.8m
Sunderland were undoubtedly one of the biggest success stories of the season. Back in the Premier League for the first time in years, they shocked many by finishing seventh and securing £37.8 million in prize money. Few expected the newly promoted side to challenge for European football, but Sunderland exceeded all predictions with fearless performances throughout the campaign. Their attacking football won admirers across the country. Supporters will now dream of building on this incredible return to the top flight.
6. Bournemouth – £40.5m
Bournemouth continued their remarkable rise by finishing sixth and qualifying for Europe for the first time in club history. Their £40.5 million payout capped off another outstanding season for the South Coast club. Bournemouth consistently played exciting football and earned impressive results against some of the league’s biggest teams. The club now enters a new era with Marco Rose replacing Andoni Iraola in the dugout. Expectations will be higher than ever heading into next season.
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5. Liverpool – £43.2m
Liverpool’s fifth-place finish brought in £43.2 million, but the mood around Anfield remained mixed. Missing out on the Champions League represented a disappointing outcome for a club used to competing for major honours. The campaign also marked Mohamed Salah’s final season with the Reds, bringing the end of an iconic era. Liverpool showed quality at times but lacked the consistency needed to keep pace with the title challengers. Replacing Salah’s influence will now become one of the club’s biggest challenges.
4. Aston Villa – £45.9m
Aston Villa secured another impressive top-four finish and earned £45.9 million in merit prize money. Champions League qualification once again highlighted the incredible progress the club has made in recent years. Villa combined defensive organisation with attacking quality to establish themselves among the Premier League’s elite sides. Their Europa League triumph added even more success to an already memorable campaign. Supporters now believe the club can remain a regular contender at the highest level.
3. Manchester United – £48.6m
Manchester United completed a dramatic turnaround by finishing third and collecting £48.6 million. After struggling earlier in the season, the arrival of Michael Carrick transformed the club’s fortunes. United rediscovered consistency during the second half of the campaign and secured a return to the Champions League. Bruno Fernandes played a starring role, breaking the Premier League’s all-time assist record and winning Player of the Season. Optimism has finally returned to Old Trafford.
2. Manchester City – £51.3m
Manchester City earned £51.3 million after finishing second in the Premier League title race. Although they lifted both the FA Cup and League Cup, missing out on the league title still felt disappointing by their standards. Pep Guardiola’s final campaign at the club was filled with emotional moments as supporters prepared to say goodbye to one of the greatest managers in football history. City remained dominant for large parts of the season but ultimately fell short against Arsenal’s consistency. A new era now awaits at the Etihad Stadium.
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1. Arsenal – £54m
Arsenal ended a 22-year wait for the Premier League title and received the maximum merit payment of £54 million. Mikel Arteta’s side produced a brilliant campaign built on consistency, defensive strength and attacking quality. The Gunners handled the pressure superbly during the closing weeks of the season and fully deserved to finish as champions. Winning the title represents a huge moment in the club’s modern history after several years of rebuilding. Arsenal could yet complete an unforgettable season with victory in the Champions League final against PSG.
