Sundowns guaranteed at least R50m in prize money this season

Mamelodi Sundowns remain on course to earn more competition prize money than any other PSL club this season, despite their CAF campaign ending with defeat by USM Alger.

The South African side lost Sunday’s CAF Super Cup final to the Algerian club, receiving runners-up medals and a USD250 000 prize, worth approximately R4,1 million.

USM Alger lifted the trophy and collected USD500 000, approximately R8,2 million.

Sundowns’ total income from CAF inter-club competitions stands at USD350 000, or about R5,77 million. That includes a USD100 000 solidarity payment for clubs who, like Sundowns, did not reach the group stage.

The amount is a significant reduction from the USD6 million, approximately R99 million, they earned last season after winning the competition. They had also remained in contention for that prize this term.

Domestic cup earnings

Sundowns have already secured R10 million as winners of the MTN8, taking their confirmed earnings so far to R15,77 million when their CAF income is included.

They are also guaranteed at least R1,35 million from the Carling Knockout after reaching the semi-finals.

That competition offers R2,85 million to the runners-up and R6,85 million to the winners, meaning Sundowns could add considerably more to their domestic cup earnings.

The largest potential payment, however, will come from the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

Sundowns have qualified for the FIFA Challenger Cup, which serves as the semi-final of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and determines which team will face European champions PSG in the final.

They will meet the winner of the match between the 2026 Copa Libertadores champions, who will be decided on November 28, and the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup winners, Deportivo Toluca FC.

That fixture will be played at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on December 12. Victory would send Sundowns into the final against PSG on December 16.

More FIFA prize money available

Sundowns have already secured at least USD2 million, approximately R33 million, after winning the African-Asian-Pacific Cup.

Their FIFA earnings would increase to at least USD4 million, around R66 million, if they reach the final. Should they defeat PSG, they would receive USD5 million, approximately R82,3 million.

Based on the money already secured, Sundowns are guaranteed at least R50 million this season: R10 million from the MTN8, approximately R4,1 million from the CAF Super Cup, at least R1,35 million from the Carling Knockout and approximately R33 million from the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

The FIFA Intercontinental Cup figures are based on last year’s payments and may be increased.