What Is the Champions League Trophy Made Of—and How Much Is It Worth?

The UEFA Champions League trophy is famous around the world as a sign of victory in European club football. Teams fight each year to earn recognition, win big prizes and achieve the honor of holding this famous trophy. Have you ever asked yourself what materials make up gold—or just how valuable it is? The importance of the trophy doesn’t stop at its money; it includes much more, from being made to who receives it. We’ll examine what the Cup represents, the actual rewards for winners and why its true meaning goes deeper than its prizes.

The Making of a Football Icon: What the Trophy Is Made Of

The trophy that is currently awarded in the UEFA Champions League is its fifth and has floated between winners since 1968. The trophy for this award is a sterling silver design by Swiss jeweler Jürg Stadelmann. It reaches 73.5 cm in height, is only 7.5 kg in weight and needed about 340 hours to put together. After Real Madrid won the competition five times, they were given the right to the original design. From that point on, the original trophy stays with teams that bring home the championship five times or three years in a row. Every other year, UEFA delivers replicas to the winners.

Trophy’s Value: Beyond the Silver and Dollar Signs

Unlike many other big sports trophies, the Champions League trophy is quite cheap, costing just around $15,000. The trophy offered at the FIFA World Cup goes for an estimated $20 million, though the prize at the Indy 500 is roughly $1.3 million. However, what really matters about the trophy isn’t the materials it’s made from. Whoever wins Men’s Singles gets to keep $98.8 million worth of prizes, along with many endorsements and worldwide recognition. Winning the cup guarantees a club’s place in footballing history which cannot be bought.