Hapoel Be'er Sheva Poised to Earn Record UEFA Champions League Prize Money

Hapoel Be'er Sheva is one win away from reaching the UEFA Champions League group stage after securing a 2-1 victory in the first leg against Sabah. If they advance, the club will receive the largest financial reward ever granted to an Israeli team in European competition. Upon qualifying for the playoff round, Be'er Sheva was guaranteed 8.6 million euros for participation in the playoffs and the Europa League group stage. These payments are split into two installments: 4.29 million euros for the playoff and 4.31 million euros for the Europa League.

Should Be'er Sheva advance to the Champions League group stage, they will earn an additional 18.62 million euros, including a primary payment of 17.87 million euros and a secondary payment of 750,000 euros, totaling approximately 64 million shekels. The club is also expected to receive 275,000 euros based on its UEFA coefficient ranking, likely placing their total earnings at about 18.89 million euros. For comparison, Maccabi Haifa earned 15.64 million euros in the 2022/23 season before additional broadcasting revenues.

The current squad value, excluding injured player Dan Biton, stands at 18.05 million euros, roughly half the potential earnings from European competition. Be'er Sheva can still sign players until the September 2 registration deadline for the Champions League. The club currently has six foreign players and may add up to two more, depending on transfers. They are seeking a foreign central defender and an attacking midfielder to replace Kings Kangwa.

Additional bonuses include 2.1 million euros per win and 700,000 euros per draw in the group stage. Advancing to the knockout round would add another million euros, and reaching the round of 16, the best achievement by an Israeli club, would yield 11 million euros. Coach Ran Kozuch confirmed ongoing negotiations with several players ahead of the registration deadline. Overall, Be'er Sheva stands to receive the highest UEFA prize money ever awarded to an Israeli club, reflecting the new UEFA financial structure effective from 2024.