FA Cup final prize money: How much will Man Utd and Man City earn?

Manchester United and Manchester City head into the FA Cup final at Wembley not only set to fight it out for silverware and derby bragging rights, but also a bonus financial windfall. Premier League champions City will kick-off as the clear favourites to secure a second successive domestic double, having already beaten the Red Devils 2-1 at the same stage last year.

Erik ten Hag’s men have endured an erratic campaign, finishing eighth and a full 31 points off their opponents. Furthermore, both league games this season went the way of Pep Guardiola’s teams, with City prevailing 3-0 at Old Trafford last October and 3-1 at home in March.

But as well as the prestige of a major trophy, a £2million prize will also go to to the winning club on Saturday. That sum however, only relates to the match itself, and not the overall amount made for succession previous rounds.

The team that goes all the way will rack up an overall total of £3.9m, with that sum inclusive of money awarded from the third round onwards. Had there been the unlikely scenario of a team from outside the top two tiers of English football going all the way, they would have made £4.08m to factor in first and second round wins as well.

The runners-up will get £1m for their final appearance, bring their overall total made from the tournament to £2.9m. And it’s United undoubtedly with more need for financial reward than their rivals.

New minority stake holder Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly targeting a squad overhaul this summer, with the future of the manager and a host of players the subject of speculation. However, despite the fresh investment, the club also need to make player sales to fund transfer moves, given their precarious position in relation to Financial Fair Play.

And defeat would also spell a further hammer blow to the club. Amid their poor end of season form, United have currently not qualified for European football next season, missing out on both a Europa League and Europa Conference League place.

So the FA Cup final represents the final chance to address that. Victory would guarantee a Europa League spot, meaning a further financial bonus as well as the prospect of being in a strong position to attract signings this summer.

A City win however, would see Chelsea elevated into that competition, with their sixth placed finish currently only good enough for the Conference competition. Seventh placed Newcastle would then go into the latter tournament.