Universidad Católica earned $400,000 from its participation in the 2026 Copa Libertadores despite being eliminated in the first phase after a penalty shootout against Juventud.
Universidad Católica's journey in the 2026 Copa Libertadores was brief and disappointing on the sporting front, culminating in their early exit from the tournament. The Ecuadorian club earned $400,000 after competing in Round 1 of the Conmebol-organized tournament. They started their campaign positively with a 1-0 victory against Uruguay's Juventud de Las Piedras, which raised hopes for progression to the next stage.
However, the return match at the Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa saw Universidad Católica fall short of expectations. Juventud managed a comeback, winning 4-3 in regular time, which equalized the aggregate score and forced the match into penalties. In the shootout, the Uruguayan side proved more effective, winning 4-3 and eliminating Universidad Católica from the competition, while themselves advancing to face Guaraní from Paraguay in the next round.
Had Universidad Católica advanced, they stood to gain an additional $500,000 to their earnings, boosting their total financial return. This outcome not only highlights the competitive nature of the tournament but also underscores the financial implications of early exits for clubs, particularly in prestigious competitions like the Copa Libertadores.
