Champions League final had €260 mln economic impact

Last night's Champions League final between Manchester United and Chelsea has been the richest match in the history of football.

Professor Simon Chadwick, director of Coventry University's Centre for the International Business of Sport, said that the match at Luzhinki stadium generated €260 million in prize-money, spending and TV income. The two sides will share €140 million with the victors receiving about 100 million and the losers taking home €40 million.

"The economic impact of the match is incredible not only for England. The interest for the match was unprecedented, with millions of people rushing from work to buy food and drinks adequate for watching a football match. The restaurants and bars also made solid profits," Chadwick said. He compared the event with the National Football League's Super Bowl in the USA.

ITV, who broadcasted the final, have increased their advertising rates for slots around the game by 50 per cent, with an actual 30-second slot during the final itself costing upwards of €350,000.

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