FA Cup 2020-21 updated prize money explained: Here's how much Sunderland could potentially earn following significant adjustments and cuts to prize fund

With the coronavirus pandemic having a huge financial impact on football as a whole, the prize fund for this season’s competition was significantly reduced and its distribution between clubs has now been further altered.

Sunderland didn’t earn a penny in prize money for their FA Cup exploits last time out as they were beaten 1-0 by Gillingham in a first round replay.

But the recent changes to the distribution of the prize money mean Phil Parkinson’s side will be guaranteed to earn at least £5,657, regardless of Saturday’s result against The Stags.

The winners of this weekend’s first round matches will now receive £16,972 after the initial allocation of £22,629 was split to allow the losing first round teams to be awarded £5,657.

It’s the first time losing sides in the first round proper will receive money from the prize fund.

Last season, teams who progressed from the first-round proper would have received £36,000, over £19,000 more than this season’s reward.

The second round prize fund has also been altered further after initially being reduced from £54,000 to £34,000. The winners will now receive £25,500 and the losers will get the remaining £8,500.

Allocations for the third round onwards remain as they were. Winning sides will receive £82,000, down from £135,000 the previous season while the losers receive nothing.

In 2019-20, reaching the third round of the competition would have netted EFL clubs £90,000 – this season they would only get £42,472 for achieving the same feat following the latest changes.

In addition, the lack of crowds means many clubs will miss the chance to get a huge financial boost if drawn against a top Premier League side.

2020-21 FA Cup prize money list in full:

First Round Proper winners: £16,972 (losers receive £5,657)

Second Round winners: £25,500 (losers receive £8,500)

Third Round winners: £82,000

Fourth Round winners: £90,000

Fifth Round winners: £180,000

Quarter-Final winners: £360,000

Semi-Final winners: £900,000

Semi-Final losers: £450,000

Runners-up: £900,000

Winners: £1,800,000

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