How much cash Cardiff City, Lincoln City and Bolton Wanderers could get if promoted | OneFootball

Football League World observes the jump in prize money from League One to the Championship

As we head into the final months of the campaign, those at the top won't want to get carried away, but they'd be lying if they hadn't gotten excited at the prospect of promotion.

Not only does finishing right near the top and earning promotion cement your claim as one of the best in the division that year, which brings about some form of bragging rights, but it also confirms a great celebration with the fanbase after a long season.

Then, the focus shifts to new opponents, a new division, and an increase in revenue and prize money.

There's no secret that the gap in money between the Premier League and the Championship is massive, but the same can also be said of the gap between the second tier and League One, too.

Therefore, getting out of the third tier is important, above all, for the influx of finances that a team can receive.

Currently, Cardiff City and Lincoln City have a firm grip on the top two and will have one eye on a place in the Championship next season. But, if either slips up, Bolton Wanderers look the team most likely to take advantage.

If anything, it seems that Steven Schumacher's side will be returning to the play-offs come May.

How much would Cardiff City, Lincoln City and Bolton Wanderers make from earning promotion to the Championship?

Cardiff, Lincoln and Bolton will all have their eyes on promotion come the end of the season, whether it be from finishing as champions, runners-up or through the play-offs, and those who do earn promotion will be licking their lips at an improved payday.

A report from the BBC in May last year states that EFL prize money is set per season, depending on the division that they are in. Currently, in League One, teams receive around £2 million per season.

That number will be different for Cardiff, though, as they, along with Plymouth Argyle and Luton Town, will receive 11.1% of the basic award payment for the Championship, after they were relegated last season.

That basic award payment amounts to around £5.5 million, so the Bluebids will be earning £610,500 on top of their £2 million.

So already, teams in the second tier earn over double what League One sides earn. However, that's not all, as Championship outfits are also said to earn a further £5.5 million from solidarity payments from the Premier League.

So, the promotion-hunting trio are not only hoping for the chance to play in the Championship, but the chance to earn £9 million (or £8.4 million, in Cardiff's case) more than they currently earn as a third-tier club.

That's not even taking into account the increase in revenue that comes with added sponsorships, ticket sales and the likelihood of them being showcased on TV more in the second tier than in the third.

Finances benefit massively from promotion to the Championship — it's a big incentive going into the run-in

When you consider that the prize money difference between League One and League Two is only around a reported £500,000, it emphasises the dearth in finances between the second and third tiers.

Therefore, it puts a lot of onus on sides to get into the second tier, as even if they last just a couple of years up there, it could put them in a good place to progress forward as a club.

Cardiff and Lincoln have been near-perfect throughout 2026 so far, and they have the finish line in sight with just a few months left. The lure of a big payday should be enough to push them on.

Then, if it comes down to the play-offs, which has its own financial benefits through a Wembley payday, it gives an extra incentive to put together a string of the best performances of the season to secure that ticket to the Championship.

It's going to be an enthralling end to the League One campaign this season, and only time will tell as to who will benefit from Championship prize money come the summer.