As Celtic Competes in the Champions League Seven Clubs to Bank ‘£1.6m UEFA Bonus’

Celtic earned a nice sum with an opening-day triumph in the new Champions League.

Brendan Rodgers’ side began their season with a resounding 5-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava, earning a €2.1 million (£1.77 million) performance bonus.

However, Celtic’s presence at the top level of European football will result in huge bonus payments for seven Scottish Premiership clubs, according to a study.

According to the Daily Mail, seven of the twelve top-flight clubs will get UEFA windfalls totalling around £1.6 million.

Payments will be provided to clubs that did not participate in European group stage matches during the 2023/24 season.

Dundee, Hearts, Hibs, Kilmarnock, Livingston, Motherwell, Ross County, St Johnstone, and St Mirren will all receive approximately £650,000. Celtic’s participation in the Champions League last season will result in overdue payments.

However, a change in UEFA payment procedures has resulted in an additional tranche of solidarity payments being received under the new broadcasting cycle.

Due to Celtic’s participation in the new Champions League this season, Dundee, Hibs, Kilmarnock, Motherwell, Ross County, St Johnstone, and St Mirren will each get £1.6 million.

Hearts and Livingston will pocket £650k, while Aberdeen and Dundee United will receive over £1 million.

Hearts earn a lower price due to their participation in the Conference League group stage, whereas Livingston does not receive a higher bracket payment following relegation to the Scottish Championship.

Similarly, Aberdeen will not receive the full £1.6 million due to their participation in European group stage action in 2023/24, while Dundee United will receive £1 million rather than £1.6 million because they competed in the Scottish Championship last season.