Coventry City take on Luton Town in the Championship play-off final today.
The winner of the contest at Wembley will book their place in the Premier League, with the loser facing another season in the second tier. Both sides have reached the final after five incredible seasons, with the two teams competing against each other in League Two as recently as 2018.
There's not just the opportunity to play against some of the world's best players at stake either, with the fixture billed as the most lucrative game in world football and the winner leaving Wembley significantly richer.
READ MORE: Chelsea v Man Utd prank sees famous Welsh village sign hijacked
A report from Deloitte states the winner of Coventry v Luton will earn an increase in revenue of at least £170m across the next three seasons. However that sum rises significantly to more than £290m across the next five campaigns if the promoted club avoids relegation in its first season back in the top-flight.
In the last 10 years, only half of the play-off final winners have survived in their first season in the top flight after being promoted, with the likes of Fulham, Hull and Norwich all struggling after Wembley glory. However, four of the last six play-off winning teams have stayed up in their first campaign, with Huddersfield, Aston Villa, Brentford and Nottingham Forest all beating the drop.
Zal Udwadia, assistant director in Deloitte’s Sports Business Group, said: “This weekend’s contest at Wembley offers the biggest financial prize in world football and will be a great advertisement for the Championship after another thrilling season. With both sides eyeing a return to the top flight for the first time in over two decades, the stakes are high.
"Both Coventry City and Luton Town were competing against each other in League Two just five seasons ago – a testament to the strength, opportunity and competition in the English Football League pyramid. Should the winner avoid immediate relegation from the Premier League, there could be a financial uplift in excess of £290m."
"However," Mr Udwadia added. "In the last ten years, only a small majority of newly promoted clubs have survived their first season back in the Premier League, and the winner will be focused on maintaining their new position in the highest revenue-generating football league in the world. This weekend’s prize will play a crucial role in helping to recruit playing talent, as well as investing in infrastructure and fan experience to give the promoted side the greatest chance of remaining amongst the best teams in England.”
READ NEXT:
- Tickets to watch Wrexham and Chelsea train on US tour cost up to $85
- The managers Swansea City could turn to as Russell Martin closes in on Southampton move
- Jeff Stelling breaks down in tears on Sky Sports as he delivers emotional message
- Intruder confronts Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and shoves him in dugout during Leeds United game
- The new fastest footballer in Premier League history as Liverpool star breaks record
