You are not familiar with the game yet, so cannot see some things.
For example, yes the quality of opponents is like this but for normal teams.
If you have a super tanking team 9*-10* or more, you 're facing same q teams at last stage.
So it's much easier to win the contest (which is almost impossible for a normal team).
Check the no4 I think world top100 asso group.
Those Grimaldi. Check their quality and how easy was for them to won the emblems.

The game cuts the tokens as asso prize for them (as they don't qualify to next level) but give them back every season with those events.

Also in older contests, the game gave you 2 or 3 (don't remember) free tickets, now it's only one.
And you have 50% chances to get trolled by a weaker bot team.