What is the Medal Allocation for Premier League Champions?
- Think Football Ideas
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Ah, the Premier League title. Blood, sweat, and probably a fair few hairdryers thrown behind the scenes all come down to one thing: the shiny medal slung around necks at the final whistle. But not everyone gets one—and no, just showing up to training doesn’t count.
So, how exactly are Premier League medals handed out? Who decides? And what are they even made of? Here’s everything you need to know about the prize that makes it all feel very real.
1. What Are Premier League Medals Made From?
Let’s get one thing clear: they’re not solid gold. Sorry to crush your dreams.
Premier League medals are made primarily of silver with a thin gold plate on the outside. Why silver? It’s durable, affordable, and still sparkly enough to look great in a trophy cabinet (or an Instagram flex).
The current design includes the word "CHAMPIONS" stamped at the top, the season etched in at the bottom, and, of course, the iconic lion logo in the middle.
That lion? It’s not just decorative. It harks back to the traditional Three Lions of English football and has been on the Premier League crest since its formation in 1992.
2. Who Automatically Qualifies for a Medal?
The golden (well, gold-plated) rule: five appearances.
According to Premier League rules, every player who makes five or more appearances in a title-winning season is guaranteed a medal.
That’s regardless of whether they started, came off the bench, or jogged on in the 92nd minute for time-wasting duty. Five’s the magic number.
That usually covers the starting XI regulars, a few benchwarmers, and maybe the odd surprise name fans forgot even played.
3. Who Decides Where the Spare Medals Go?
Now here’s where it gets juicy.
Each champion club is handed 40 medals. Once every five-plus appearance player is accounted for, the rest are up for grabs, and it’s the club’s call who gets the leftovers.
Got a physio who kept half the squad upright all season? Medal. Assistant manager who does more shouting than the gaffer? Medal. A Veteran club captain who only played twice but inspired the dressing room? You guessed it, a medal.
It’s a blend of politics, sentiment, and recognition. And yes, fringe players who didn’t quite hit the five-match mark sometimes make the cut, too. Looking at you, Federico Chiesa, with your 33 Premier League minutes.
4. Do Staff and Youth Players Get Medals Too?
If the club has any medals left after player distribution, they often go to coaching and support staff.
Think:
The manager (obviously),
His assistants,
Performance analysts,
Goalkeeping coaches,
That person who tapes everyone's ankles before kickoff, yes, maybe even them.
Youth players who featured in other competitions or were part of first-team training might get lucky too. It’s rare, but it happens. And when it does, expect a proud mum to post that medal on Facebook before the player gets home.
5. What Does a Premier League Winner's Medal Look Like?
Sleek. Regal. Photogenic.
Medals are presented in cushioned purple cases, because nothing screams “champion” like a velvet-lined box. During the title presentation, players are awarded their medals one by one, usually while balancing champagne bottles and cameras in their faces.
The design is sharp: the league lion front and centre, clean typography, and enough gleam to make a raccoon swoon. While not technically worth millions in metal, it’s priceless in career currency.
So next time you see a player kissing their medal like it’s the World Cup, remember there’s politics, precision, and a whole lot of pride behind that tiny piece of hardware.
6. How Big Is the Premier League Trophy, Anyway?
We talk a lot about the medals, but let’s not forget the real star of the show: the trophy. That silver-and-gold beast isn’t just there for decoration.
Each Premier League trophy clocks in at 3 feet 5 inches (104 cm) tall, 2 feet (61 cm) wide, and tips the scales at a hefty 4 stone (25.4 kg). The base alone, where champions' names are etched into history, weighs 2.5 stone (15.9 kg). So yeah, lifting it is both a workout and a moment of glory.