August 29 – A report into the impact of expanded UEFA club competitions for small and medium-sized markets, finds that they have created clear benefits in terms of increased visibility for sponsors and broadcasters, and increased credibility in the transfer market.
For many clubs, participation has attracted investment, and raised professional standards across the board.
The downside, according to the report authors, Football Benchmark, is that recurring UCC income is potentially creating entrenched national ‘super clubs’ in certain markets.
“Clubs such as Ferencvárosi TC in Hungary, PFC Ludogorets Razgrad in Bulgaria, and Qarabağ FK in Azerbaijan already exemplify this dynamic,” says the report.
“This new continental ‘middle class’ of clubs faces a structural challenge: while they increasingly dominate their domestic leagues, widening the gap with local peers, they continue to struggle against teams from Europe’s top markets whose resources remain far greater.”
Automatic access to the UEFA Champions League (UCL) league phase is restricted to the top ten leagues by UEFA’s country coefficient. The remaining 45 nations can still qualify but their opportunities are more limited. UEFA’s expanded club competition structure seeks balance out the revenues and opportunities.
The Football Benchmark report looks at the impact in the “small and medium-sized markets” which are defined as the 45 UEFA nations outside the top ten by average club revenues over the past 20 seasons (Belgium, England, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Spain and Türkiye).
Over the past four seasons UEFA has expanded the number of clubs competition in its club competition from 72 to 108, a 35% increase representing the most significant expansion in the history of European club competitions.
“All but five of the 45 small and medium-sized markets have had at least one representative in the group stages of UCCs over the past 20 seasons. The only exceptions are Andorra, Georgia, Malta, Montenegro and San Marino. This reflects the growing inclusiveness of the competitions,” points out the report.
But inclusion has not necessarily resulted in improved performance, yet, finds the report. Rather it has just meant a reallocation of income amongst the stronger nations’ clubs.
“Austria and Czechia stand out as the biggest climbers, not only increasing their number of participants but also seeing clubs such as RB Salzburg and SK Slavia Praha reach the knockout stages of the UCL and UEL on occasions,” says the report.
“In Azerbaijan and Serbia, progress has been primarily driven by a small number of dominant clubs, with Qarabağ FK, FK Partizan Beograd, and FK Crvena Zvezda accounting for most appearances. Cyprus has been the notable exception, with seven different clubs featuring over the past decade.
“At the other end of the spectrum, Romania’s decline has been particularly stark.”
The report concludes that with the new format now in its second year, clubs will continue to benefit from greater exposure and growth linked to UCC participation.
“Over time, however, the consolidation of their position may reignite debate around the need for stronger regional competitions. For stakeholders, the key challenge remains ensuring that the benefits of expanded participation translate into broader and more sustainable growth across national and regional ecosystems beyond the elite markets.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1756459436labto1756459436ofdlr1756459436owedi1756459436sni@n1756459436osloh1756459436cin.l1756459436uap1756459436
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