April was a month of continued progress and strong momentum across all areas of ECA’s work. From a record financial distribution for clubs to expanded regional engagement and pioneering youth and sustainability initiatives, the month underlined ECA’s commitment to driving positive change for clubs across Europe.
Record €233 Million Distributed Through Club Benefits Programme
A record €233 million has been distributed to over 900 clubs across Europe as part of the Club Benefits Programme. The amount marks a significant increase from previous editions and reinforces the growing value of international tournaments for clubs at all levels.
ECA played a central role in negotiating the terms of the programme through its renewed Memorandum of Understanding with UEFA, helping ensure that clubs are properly rewarded for the release of their players and their ongoing contribution to national team football.
Innovation and Inspiration at the Wings Cup
Over 90 academy leaders, coaches, technical staff and development experts from around the world came together for the Wings Cup, an innovative new youth competition hosted by RB Leipzig and supported by ECA and Red Bull.
The three-day event championed innovation in youth development, combining a two-day tournament that spotlighted individual talent and creative match rules, which was enhanced with real-time data for players and fans. A dynamic ECA Knowledge Exchange session saw participants engage with expert discussions on emerging trends in data and talent pathways. A highlight from the event was a special ECA panel featuring Jürgen Klopp, Marcel Schäfer, Yussuf Poulsen and David Wagner who offered varying perspectives on the future of the game.
Cardiff City Becomes ECA’s 750th Member Club
April saw ECA welcome its 750th Member Club, with Cardiff City joining. The club’s inclusion, through their women’s team, highlights the continued growth and importance of women’s football in Europe and represents a major milestone for the ECA family.
As one of Wales’ most successful women’s teams and 2024/25 Adran Premier Champions, Cardiff City’s membership reflects both the expanding reach of the association and the increasing role of women’s clubs in shaping the future of European football.
Sporting Director Programme Heads to Düsseldorf
The second session of the ECA-UEFA Academy Sporting Director Programme took place in and around Düsseldorf, blending strategic insights with practical experience. Participants visited Bundesliga clubs Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayer 04 Leverkusen, and took part in expert-led sessions on leadership and negotiations.
A standout moment was a 5-a-side match featuring football legends Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Philippe Senderos and Marko Marin.
Women’s High Performance Group Meets at the Emirates
ECA’s Women’s High Performance Advisory Group met at the Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal FC, for a two-day session focused on pelvic health and postpartum return to play. The event brought together medical experts and club practitioners to share progressive strategies and highlight areas where further support and research is needed.
The session reflects ECA’s ongoing investment in advancing the women’s game and ensuring athletes receive tailored, high-quality care throughout their careers.
ECA Deepens Regional Engagement Across Europe
Regional engagement continued throughout April, with 45 clubs attending the latest Platform for Executive Consultation (PEC) meetings in Belgrade and Bratislava. ECA Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and CEO Charlie Marshall joined the Belgrade meeting to meet and connect with members.
In parallel, ECA led a series of club meetups in Austria, Albania Kosovo and Malta. Each session featured a side meeting with the national football association, reinforcing collaboration and shared priorities. Discussions focused on ECA’s governance, member services, market presence and implementation of MoUs with UEFA and FIFA. 
Sustainability Roadshow Heads to Dublin and Amsterdam
The latest stops on the ECA Sustainability Roadshow saw club representatives and sustainability managers gather in Dublin and Amsterdam for two productive days of exchange and collaboration.
Organised with UEFA and hosted by the Football Association of Ireland, League of Ireland, KNVB and Eredivisie CV, the sessions provided a platform to discuss shared challenges around licensing, EU regulations and sustainability goals.
Clubs also presented best practices and innovative initiatives, reinforcing the power of knowledge-sharing and peer learning in embedding sustainability across football operations.
Supporting Social Dialogue Across the Game
To close the month, ECA participated in the latest meeting of the Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee in Professional Football, alongside FIFPRO Europe, European Leagues and UEFA. The group, coordinated by the European Commission, focused on improving standard contracts and strengthening national dispute resolution mechanisms.
ECA remains committed to working with stakeholders to promote contractual stability and fair, transparent processes across professional football.
From strengthening governance and regional dialogue to driving forward innovation in youth development, April was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through collaboration and ambition. With many exciting initiatives on the horizon, ECA remains committed to helping clubs thrive on and off the pitch.
You can keep up with the latest developments at the heart of European Football via our LinkedIn page.