Leeds and Southampton will face off for a lucrative spot in the Premier League in what is known as football's single richest match at Wembley on Sunday. The Championship play-off final winner stands to gain an estimated £140 million ($178 million), highlighting the significant financial windfall associated with promotion to the English top-flight. This figure can eventually rise to £305 million if the promoted team manages to avoid relegation in their first season back, according to financial experts Deloitte.

The immense financial benefits include vast increases in matchday, broadcast, and commercial revenues available to Premier League clubs. However, beyond the monetary prize, the prestige of competing against elite teams like Manchester City and Arsenal rather than second-tier teams like Plymouth and Oxford is a significant motivator for both clubs.

Leeds and Southampton are eager to return to the Premier League after a year in the Championship. Both clubs handled their relegation well, positioning themselves within one game of rejoining the top tier. Leeds, who finished third in the Championship, narrowly missed out on automatic promotion to Ipswich but showcased their potential with a dominant 4-0 victory over Norwich in the play-off semi-final second leg. Southampton, finishing fourth, also performed admirably, securing their spot in the final with a 3-1 win over West Bromwich Albion in their semi-final second leg.

Both clubs boast large fan bases and histories of sustained spells in the top tier, making the Premier League a fitting arena for them. Leeds, however, have a painful history in the play-offs, having failed in five previous attempts to secure promotion through this route. They have not won at Wembley since the 1992 Charity Shield against Liverpool and will be making their first appearance there in 17 years.

Leeds' hopes are bolstered by the presence of manager Daniel Farke, who has successfully guided Norwich to automatic promotion to the Premier League in 2019 and 2021. Farke emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and balance, stating, "It's a 50-50 game. But this also means it's a great chance of promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking."

Promotion would also be a dramatic conclusion for Leeds, whose ownership group, 49ers Enterprises, includes high-profile shareholders such as movie star Will Ferrell, actor Russell Crowe, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, and golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.

Adding a subplot to the match, Farke has a contentious history with Southampton manager Russell Martin, who played under him at Norwich before leaving the club in 2018. Despite their past, Farke spoke positively about Martin, calling him a thoughtful captain. Martin acknowledged the difficulty of his departure but maintained that there was no personal animosity between them.

Martin, who captained Norwich to a Championship play-off final victory in 2015, views the upcoming match as a significant opportunity for his team. "It is such a privilege to play in a game of this magnitude," he said. "They have the chance to feel something spectacular that they will remember forever."

The stage is set for an intense and high-stakes encounter at Wembley, with both clubs aiming to secure not only the financial rewards but also the prestige and competitive excitement of Premier League football.