Bodo/Glimt earns a fortune from their historic victory in the Champions League

The victory over Inter Milan granted Bodo/Glimt entry into the round of 16 and earned them a substantial prize money from UEFA.

Despite playing away in Italy, Bodo/Glimt showed great resilience to defeat Inter Milan 2-1, proudly advancing to the round of 16. Champions League with an aggregate score of 5-2 over two legs. Beyond the sporting achievement, the Norwegian club also gained another “win”: a financial boost significant enough to transform the club’s outlook.

According to recorded figures, just reaching the playoff round has earned Bodo/Glimt 42 million euros in prize money since the start of the competition. The ticket to the round of 16 added another 11 million euros, followed by two wins over Inter bringing in an additional 4.2 million euros. In total, Bodo/Glimt has reached 57.2 million euros.

Remarkably, this amount even slightly exceeds the estimated value of their squad on Transfermarkt, which is around 57 million euros. This is an interesting paradox in modern football: within a few months, Champions League prize money can redefine the value of a team not traditionally considered among Europe’s elite.

For top Champions League clubs, over 50 million euros might only represent a portion of their seasonal budget. But for Bodo/Glimt — a club that operates with tight financial discipline and maximizes every expense — this funding can make a long-term difference.

Bodo/Glimt’s rise is actually not a completely new story. It is the result of years of steady growth. In 2017, the club’s operating budget was reportedly only about 4.2 million euros. By the end of the 2024/25 season, the club recorded revenues of 60 million euros, an impressive leap showing rare growth speed in Nordic football. If they continue to advance in this season’s Champions League, that figure is expected to rise significantly.

CEO Frode Thomassen once summarized this transformation with a reflective statement: “From being a small team in Norway’s second division, Bodo/Glimt has become the club with the strongest financial foundation in the country over the past 7-8 years.” 

Nevertheless, challenges ahead remain tough. In the round of 16, Bodo/Glimt will face either Man City or Sporting. Should they overcome one of these opponents to reach the quarter-finals, the Norwegian club will earn an additional 12.5 million euros in UEFA prize money. For a club with modest finances, this is not just a bonus but a chance to climb further in the hierarchy of European football.

Bodo/Glimt demonstrates that the Champions League is not only a stage for big names. For teams that build a solid foundation, manage well, and seize the moment, this competition can become a “fast track” to a new chapter: stronger financially and more ambitious competitively.