EFL clubs who progress furthest in this season’s Emirates FA Cup are to reap the rewards of a new divisional progress prize fund.
The EFL and The FA reached an agreement whereby a new £250,000 progress prize will be made to the EFL club from each division that goes furthest in the competition. In the event of more than one club going out at the same stage, the prize fund will be split equally between them.
EFL clubs have provided some of the biggest talking points in this season’s competition with League Two’s Newport County and Oldham Athletic both knocking out Premier League opposition in Leicester City and Fulham respectively in the third round, while League One’s Gillingham beat Cardiff City to also take their place in the fourth round.
The funds have been made available partly due to the increase of prize money from the proceeds of The FA’s new broadcasting agreements.
FA director of professional game relations Andy Ambler said: “We are delighted to able to offer this substantial financial reward to EFL clubs competing in the Emirates FA Cup.
“At the start of the season, we doubled the competition prize fund to £30.2m – an increased investment which will have a positive impact on clubs at all levels of the game.
“We hope that the divisional progress prize will deliver both a financial benefit and lasting legacy to clubs embarking on a successful Cup run.”
EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey added: “The financial rewards that are earned as a result of progressing through the rounds in the Emirates FA Cup deliver a huge boost to EFL clubs and the addition of a £250,000 divisional prize provides an even greater return that recognises a club’s success.
“This additional fund, agreed with both The FA and Premier League, demonstrates further our commitment to securing the maximum financial contribution for our clubs.”
