Sunderland player Eliezer Mayenda, left, shoots to score the first goal during the Sky Bet … More
When the news became official that LAFC would face Club America on May 31 in a playoff for Club Leon’s vacated 2025 Club World Cup berth, the easy comparison to draw was to England’s EFL Championship Playoff Final, dubbed the richest game in soccer because of the financial benefit that comes simply from qualifying for the Premier League.
Both involve teams that didn’t win their competitions outright. Both matches will come later this month. And both could have an enormous financial benefit.
Here’s a closer look at how the details of the two enormous fixtures stack up.
Club Profile
EFL: Sheffield United vs. Sunderland
The Blades and the Black Cats both have histories dating back to the 1800s and 13 major domestic honors between them. But only one of them has come since the end of World War II, when Sunderland won the 1972-73 FA Cup.
But both teams clearly have the potential to become valuable commodities again if they could survive and become stable in the Premier League. Sunderland averaged more than 40,000 fans this season at home matches, the most in the EFL Championship. Sheffield United was fourth with an average just north of 28,000.
Concacaf: LAFC vs. Club America
Club America and LAFC are two of the Concacaf region’s most famous and valuable clubs.
In terms of profile, it’s hard to do better than this fixture when it comes to clubs in the Concacaf region.
Club America is arguably the most historic club anywhere in North America, the all-time winningest side in Liga MX and also the most valuable club in Mexico according to a recent analysis from Sportico.
The Black-and-Gold of LAFC are far newer, having joined MLS only in 2018, but have also won three major domestic titles since 2022 and currently Sportico’s most valuable club on the continent.
Financial Stakes
EFL: At least $290 million
According to an analysis from the BBC, the winner of the playoff final on May 24 will receive a guaranteed minimum of $290 million in additional funds that they did not have access to while playing in the EFL Championship. A large share of that sum comes from the exponnentially increased TV revenue they’ll receive to from the Premier League’s new domestic TV contract, which is worth about $2.2 billion annually for the next four seasons.
Concacaf: At least $9.5 million
Every participating club in the Club World Cup from Concacaf will be given a $9.5 million appearance fee, with the potential to win significantly more money if they advance deep in the tournament. Given the elite quality of the opposition in that tournament, the realistic ceiling for Club America or LAFC would probably be a trip to the round of 16, which would net the club a total of just above $21 million. The mathematical ceiling is just shy of $100 million if somehow a Concacaf club won the whole tournament.
Venue
General view of play inside the stadium during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 Final match between … More
EFL: Wembley Stadium
As far as international soccer venues go, it doesn’t get much bigger, although the location will be a bit of a hike for Sunderland supporters’ in particular traveling from England’s Northeast. Even so, with nearly two weeks to sell tickets after the semifinals were completed, there’s every reason to believe the crowd will approach the 85,000 capacity that is often reached for this occasion. Objectively, Sunderland and Sheffield United are two of the bigger clubs to play in the fixture since the promotion playoff format began in the late 1980s.
Concacaf: BMO Stadium
It might seem strange to play this match at the home ground of one of the two competing sides. But 1: it’s Concacaf. And 2: it’s probably as close as you’ll get to a neutral venue that is also a sellout. LAFC is very well supported in Los Angeles, regularly selling out its venue of more than 20,000 seats for league games. And Club America is at worst the second-most popular Liga MX team, including in LA where there is an enormous Mexican expat population.
