Sheffield Utd to take on Sunderland in the Most Lucrative Game in Football

Who’s in the Play-Off Final?

Sheffield United will face Sunderland in the play-off final on the 24th May 2025 at Wembley Stadium.

One of which will join Leeds United and Burnley in securing Premier League football next season.

The play-off finals is often described as one of the most lucrative games in English football with the sides potentially earning up to £265 million in funds if they were to get promoted to the promise lands.

The playoff final values has increased to £220m from last years £140m. Much of the rise has come from the new TV deals signed in 2023 worth £9.3bn, spread across three years.

Which means a Premier League club on average will earn £123m per season, in which heavily exceeds other top five leagues, La Liga (£56m), Serie A (£52m), Bundesliga (£52m) and Ligue 1 (£27m)

The winners attain the funds via a plethora of TV deals, sponsorships, and additional revenue streams. Which range depending on where the teams finish next season with £160m for the winners to £100m for the team finishing in 20th place.

On top of the £105 million (£35 million per year for three season) of parachute payments if the club was to get relegated.

Totalling around £95m a year more than the clubs from the Championship, and this figure is multiplied for every season that the team remains in the top flight.

Sheffield United

Sheffield United booked their place at Wembley after dispatching Bristol City with a commanding 6-0 aggregate scoreline, a record margin that showcased their Premier League pedigree.

The Blades, whose squad is valued at £134.6 million nearly triple that of the South West side demonstrating their top-flight quality throughout the tie.

For Bristol City, the defeat extends their tenure in the Championship, now becoming the division’s longest-serving club with 11 consecutive seasons in the second tier.

Sheffield United will rely on Chris Wilder’s promotion pedigree with the managed winning promotion with two other clubs, winning one playoff with Oxford United in 2010.

However, history provides a mixed bag for the Blades. The club has never won promotion through the play-offs and has not celebrated victory at Wembley in over a century their last win coming in 1925 against Cardiff City.

Still, there is cause for optimism. Teams finishing third in the Championship have a solid track record in the play-offs, with 9 of the last 20 earning promotion. That’s a promising 45% success rate Wilder will be keen to add to.

Sunderland

Coming off of Hoarding gate, that saw the Black Cats bring in the advertising hoardings closer to the touchline as an attempt to stop the long throws from Milan Van Ewijk.

The Black Cats managed the game well, seeing off a barrage of attacks from Coventry. Ben Wilson successfully seeing off close range shots from Sky Blues top goal scorer Haji Wright and Japanese winger Mayenda.

Although Le Bris’ side evaded such upsets against Coventry seeing the side off with a 2-1 win away from home. Before breaking Sky Blue hearts in the 120+2nd minute as Daniel Ballard headed Sunderland into their first final since 2019.

A lot of the applaud for Sunderland comes from the side having going into their third successive Championship season, fielding the youngest average starting XI in the Championship (23 years, 316 days old).

Their two youngest regulars, 17-year-old Chris Rigg and 19-year-old Jobe Bellingham, both of which have been linked to Premier League sides namely Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool.

Both had particularly strong seasons and clearly have bright futures ahead of them. The youthful feature of the side has been developed well by Regis Le Bris. In which the 27 year old owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, heavily favoured the Frenchmen since his time at Lorient.

The Frenchmen’s first year in English football is seemingly becoming an impactful one. Playing a more structured football in and out of football. That will only aid their Premier League chase for the first time since being relegated in 2017.

You can watch the previous play-off final HERE

Where Can I Book Tickets?

As official ticket agents for Wembley Stadium, Circuit is proud to offer exclusive Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final VIP hospitality packages and tickets for upcoming final.

Wembley remains one of the world’s most iconic venues, home to legendary sporting events and unforgettable live shows. Now, you can experience the Championship Play-Off Final in true style, with premium seating and luxury hospitality with Circuit.

This match is set to be a huge moment for football. Don’t miss out! Secure your Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final VIP Tickets below.