MLB Postseason Prize Pool: How Playoff Money Is Divided

Major League Baseball’s postseason isn’t just about glory, trophies, or those unforgettable moments. It’s also a major financial opportunity for the players.

There’s a system behind the scenes that figures out how millions in prize money ends up with the people on the field in October.

The postseason prize pool comes from ticket sales for specific guaranteed playoff games. How far a team goes directly changes the size of their payday.

Let’s dig into how this system actually works. Here’s a closer look at what each playoff round earns and how those dollars are split up among the players.

How MLB’s Postseason Prize Pool is Funded

The prize pool starts with gate receipts from guaranteed playoff games—these are games that’ll happen no matter how the series goes.

Guaranteed Games by Round

MLB sets a minimum number of games for every postseason round to figure out revenues for the prize pool. These games lock in a baseline for ticket sales, which sets the amount available for the players.

• Wild Card Round: Two guaranteed games
• Division Series: Three guaranteed games
• League Championship Series: Four guaranteed games
• World Series: Four guaranteed games

From these matchups, 60% of the gate receipts go straight into the players’ pool. That creates a big fund before October even really gets going.

Distribution of the Prize Pool

Making it through the MLB postseason doesn’t just get a team closer to a title. It also bumps up the share of the prize pool they’ll get.

Shares by Postseason Performance

After the players’ pool is totaled, MLB hands out percentages based on how far each team goes:

• World Series Champion: 36% of the pool
• World Series Runner-Up: 24% of the pool
• League Championship Series Losers: Combined 24% (split between both teams)
• Division Series Losers: 13% collectively
• Wild Card Series Losers: Just 3% of the pool

How Teams Distribute Earnings to Players

After a team gets its cut of the prize pool, the club decides how to split the money among its roster. Players can also choose to reward other staff members.

Types of Shares Awarded

There’s no single way to do this. Teams have some flexibility and usually hand out:

• Full Shares: The maximum payout for any one player.
• Partial Shares: A smaller percentage for players or staff who weren’t active all year.
• Cash Awards: A one-time payment instead of a share.

These decisions often reflect how much someone contributed to the team’s success, on or off the field. Coaches, trainers, and even clubhouse attendants sometimes get a piece of the winnings, too.

Why This Matters for Fans and Players

For players, October baseball means the stakes skyrocket. The deeper the run, the bigger the reward—no exaggeration there.

Fans pick up on this too. When you understand the structure, every game’s intensity makes more sense, since athletes are fighting for both championships and some serious financial incentives.

 
Here is the source article for this story: The Post-Season Prize Pool