CRACKDOWN What Sunderland, Leeds United, and Middlesbrough might potentially gain from the Carabao Cup after their opponents’ million-dollar reveal

In August of next year, Sunderland will play Preston North End in the Carabao Cup first round.

To be eligible for any compensation, Sunderland must advance to the Carabao Cup semifinal.

There is no prize money awarded by the EFL until the final four, when clubs will get £25,000. But it’s important to remember that in the Carabao Cup, each team gets 45% of the gate receipts from every game, with the EFL receiving the remaining 10%.

Tickets for Sunderland’s midweek first-round matchup with Crewe Alexandra at the Stadium of Light from the previous season were available for £5 on their website prior to Tony Mowbray’s team losing on penalties. With 10,763 people in attendance that night, both clubs made about £24,217 apiece, while the EFL took home about £5,382.

If Sunderland gets a team with a large stadium or has a successful run of home draws at the Stadium of Light, they may benefit more than they did the last time around, however that would depend on beating Preston North End.

Facility fees, which are paid to clubs whose games are chosen for broadcast, are another source of revenue. The Sunderland team’s matchup with Crewe Alexandra from the previous season was not picked for TV, but the teams who do have cameras in round one will receive a total of £75,000.

For broadcast games in round three, a £100,000 facility fee is available, while rounds three through five can earn £125,000. However, Sunderland will only receive that payment if one of their matches is chosen to be broadcast on television.