Rangers Miss Out on UEFA Prize Money After Defeat to Sturm Graz

 

Rangers’ Europa League campaign suffered another setback as they fell 2–1 to Sturm Graz in Austria, missing out on vital UEFA prize money and adding pressure on manager Russell Martin.

The Scottish side went two goals down within the first 35 minutes before Djeidi Gassama pulled one back for the visitors. Despite pushing for an equaliser, the Ibrox club couldn’t find a breakthrough.

The defeat leaves Rangers without a point after two Europa League group matches and crucially, without any UEFA earnings so far. With Sturm Graz taking all three points, the Austrian side also collected the full share of UEFA’s financial rewards.

Rangers will look to turn things around in their next Europa League fixture against Brann on October 23. A win in that match would be worth £389,000 in prize money, while a draw would bring in £130,000.

According to UEFA’s structure, the top eight teams in the league phase automatically advance to the round of 16, earning an additional £519,000. Clubs finishing between ninth and 16th qualify for the knockout play-off round, taking home £260,000.

Further progress through the competition brings even bigger rewards from £260,000 for the play-offs, to £1.5 million for the round of 16, £2.2 million for the quarter-finals, £3.9 million for the semi-finals, £5.2 million for the runners-up, and £6.1 million for the Europa League champions.

For now, Rangers will need both results and performances to go their way not just to restore confidence, but to start earning again in Europe.