The Copa Libertadores will award $24 million to the winner, $1 million more than in 2024.
The 2025 Copa Libertadores is set to be one of the most lucrative editions in the tournament’s history, with the champion receiving $24 million (approximately €22 million), as announced by CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez on Monday.
This marks a $1 million increase from the 2024 prize pool, reinforcing CONMEBOL’s ongoing commitment to increasing financial rewards for South American clubs. Domínguez emphasized that this decision is part of a broader effort to make the Libertadores final even more prestigious, stating that "since last year we paid $23 million, this year we will pay $24 million." Additionally, he confirmed that the Copa Sudamericana will also see a financial boost, with its prize money increasing by $500,000.
The current Copa Libertadores champions, Botafogo, secured the 2024 title after a commanding 3-1 victory over Atlético Mineiro at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on November 30. Their triumph earned them a record-breaking $23 million payout, a figure that will be surpassed in 2025. The final saw intense competition between two Brazilian clubs, highlighting the dominance of Brazilian teams in recent editions of the tournament.
Alejandro Domínguez took the opportunity to emphasize the significance of the Libertadores final, calling it "the highest-paid match in the world". His statement underscores CONMEBOL’s ambition to make the Libertadores final one of the most financially rewarding and globally recognized club matches, a move that aligns with its broader push to enhance South American club football’s commercial value.
The prize money increase is part of a larger financial evolution within CONMEBOL’s club competitions. According to data provided by the governing body, between 2019 and 2024, CONMEBOL has distributed $1.469 billion (€1.3 billion) in participation fees and prize money across its club tournaments. This substantial financial injection has helped boost the competitiveness and financial stability of clubs across South America, allowing them to retain top talent and invest in infrastructure. In an official statement, CONMEBOL outlined the rapid expansion of its prize fund. Between 2014 and 2025, annual financial distributions have surged from $71.2 million (€65 million) to $303 million (€278 million). This marks an astonishing 426% growth in prize allocations, making the Copa Libertadores one of the richest tournaments outside Europe. The decision to continually raise financial incentives is part of CONMEBOL’s long-term plan to compete with UEFA’s club tournaments, such as the Champions League and Europa League, in terms of global prestige and financial attractiveness.
One of the biggest remaining questions surrounding the 2025 Copa Libertadores is the location of the final, which is scheduled for November 29. Unlike the traditional two-legged finals of the past, CONMEBOL now stages a single-match final at a neutral venue, a format introduced in 2019 to mirror the UEFA Champions League final. Currently, three cities are in contention to host the final. Brasília, the capital of Brazil, is pushing for the final to be played at the Mané Garrincha National Stadium, a venue that has hosted major international tournaments, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup and Copa América. With its modern infrastructure and large capacity, Brasília presents a strong case for hosting South America’s most prestigious club match. Montevideo, the Uruguayan capital, is also in the race, with the Estadio Centenario being a potential venue. Montevideo previously hosted the 2021 Copa Libertadores final, when Palmeiras defeated Flamengo in an all-Brazilian final. The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) is keen to bring the final back to its historic stadium, which holds deep significance as the site of the first-ever FIFA World Cup final in 1930. Lima, Peru’s capital, is also bidding to host the match. The Estadio Nacional de Lima, which hosted the 2019 final between Flamengo and River Plate, is a strong candidate due to its location and ability to accommodate large crowds.
With CONMEBOL set to make a final decision in the coming months, the anticipation for the 2025 Copa Libertadores continues to grow. The financial stakes have never been higher, and the tournament’s global appeal continues to expand. With the world’s eyes on South America’s premier club competition, the next edition promises to be one of the most exciting and rewarding in its history.