New Delhi: A spot in the Premier League and nearly $300 million will be at stake when Sheffield United take on Sunderland in the high-octane Championship promotion playoff final at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday, May 24. In what is arguably one of the richest games in club football, the two teams will be battling to become the third team to be promoted from the Championship to the Premier League next season.
Leeds United and Burnley have already earned promotion to the English top flight after securing the top two spots respectively in the EFL Championship this season. Both teams finished with 100 points each, with Leeds pipping Burnley to the Championship title based on a better goal difference. Sunderland and Sheffield will now be up against each other to become the third and final team to earn promotion to the Premier League.
While Sheffield United are looking to get back in the Premier League after being relegated to the Championship last season, Sunderland will be aiming to bring an eight-year-long wait for a return to the English top flight when they take the field in the Championship promotion playoff final at Wembley on Saturday. Sunderland last featured in the Premier League in the 2016-17 season.
One of the richest games in club football
Big-ticket finals are nothing new in football. Winners rack up millions for winning elite competitions, but the Championship promotion playoff final is one of the few matches which can be a make-or-break encounter for Championship clubs with huge money on the line. The winner of the final between Sheffield and Sunderland will take home at least $295 million for securing promotion to the Premier League.
The $295 million is the participation fee earned by each club taking part in the Premier League from the new broadcast deal that will come into effect from next season. The clubs used to earn roughly $228 million from the broadcast deal earlier. The $295 million is without factoring in the other income that the winner of the Championship promotion playoff final would generate for featuring in the Premier League.
On top of it, the club can also significantly bolster their earnings, depending on where they finish in the Premier League next season. With so much at stake, the playoff final becomes a crucial one for both Sunderland and Sheffield United, who will be looking to give their all in the on-off encounter which will decide their fate for the next season.
Sheffield United headed into the Championship playoff final after beating Bristol City 3-0 twice in the two-legged semi-final, while Sunderland managed to see off Coventry City 2-1 and 1-1 in the two-legged semi-final to make it to the final.
Sheffield United will lock horns with Sunderland in the Championship playoff final on Saturday. A lot will be at stake for both teams in what is arguably one of the richest games in club football. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
