The 2026 EFL Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City isn’t just about silverware at Wembley, there’s a financial storyline grabbing attention too as fans and pundits alike wonder what the winners will walk away with.
While the Carabao Cup may not carry the prestige of the Premier League or even the FA Cup, the reward attached to lifting the trophy still matters in the broader economics of elite soccer.
The official prize money is straightforward: the winner will take home £100,000 ($133,390), while the runner-up will receive £50,000 ($66,695). Therefore, a win or loss won’t mean the same for Arsenal or Manchester City not only in a sporting, but also in a financial aspect. However, both will benefit from additional revenue through ticket sales at Wembley Stadium.
How the EFL Cup prize money compares to other competitions
The EFL Cup’s official prize money is small compared with the rewards on offer in England’s other major competitions. Clubs can also earn significant revenue from gate receipts, with a 50% share for home teams, and a minimum of £797,400 ($1,063,651) for qualifying for the UEFA Conference League.
Eberechi Eze of Arsenal celebrates scoring the opening goal during the 2026 UEFA Champions League (Source: Warren Little/Getty Images)
By comparison, the FA Cup pays far more to teams as they progress and rewards its champion with money in the millions of pounds, making it a much bigger financial incentive than the League Cup.
Meanwhile, Premier League clubs earn tens of millions from broadcast deals and final league placement, and European tournaments like the UEFA Champions League dwarf both domestic cups with revenues in the tens of millions.
Revenue beyond the prize: Ticket sales and Wembley income
Although the EFL Cup’s direct prize money is limited, the financial upside for finalists extends well beyond the £100,000 winner’s check. When the final is staged at Wembley Stadium, gate receipts from a near‑sellout crowd can total around £2.5 million ($3,334,749).
After the EFL takes its administrative cut, this gate revenue is shared roughly equally between the two finalist clubs, meaning both Arsenal and Manchester City stand to earn approximately £1.1 million ($1,467,289) each just from matchday income.
This ticket‑related windfall is particularly significant for lower‑division clubs when they make deep runs, but it also benefits top Premier League sides annually in the cup final. In addition to ticket sales, teams can earn extra from hospitality packages, merchandise and concessions on matchday.
Past winners and prize trends
Historically, the EFL Cup has maintained a consistent prize money structure with limited growth over recent seasons. Winners like Newcastle United in 2025 collected their £100,000 share before media and gate receipts were factored in.
Despite its long history — dating back to 1960 — the League Cup has never matched the financial heft, and prize money hasn’t expanded dramatically even as broadcast deals and commercial revenues have soared.
This stability in payout underscores the EFL Cup’s role in the English season: a respected domestic cup with historical prestige, but not a big source of income compared to other competitions, even as it remains a valuable title to win. Especially for Arsenal, who are seeking to end a years-long drought.
