- Clubs provided with debrief on competitions, including solidarity for non-participating clubs.
- ECA and UEFA working jointly to improve collaboration between clubs and national teams regarding player release.
- Focus of new ECA Fans Working Group approved.
8 September 2025 – Nyon, Switzerland: European Club Association (ECA) today concluded its first Board Meeting of the 2025/26 European football season. Senior leaders from across ECA’s Member Clubs met virtually to discuss a range of strategic matters impacting clubs and the football landscape.
Clubs Praise New UCC Competition Formats; Debrief on FIFA Club World Cup
The Board was provided with a review of the new men’s UEFA Club Competitions (UCCs) formats introduced in 2024/25, which have met with an overwhelmingly positive response from clubs. ECA Member Clubs have provided a range of specific feedback, including many highlighting that the introductions of the League Phase, a single league table and simultaneous final matchdays collectively added more competitiveness, unpredictability and excitement.
Additionally, the Board was provided with a debrief on the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, including key competition performance and supporter engagement indicators including 2.5m aggregate attendance across the tournament, delivering average crowds of 40,000.
ECA and its Clubs Steadfastly Committed to Solidarity for Non-Participating Clubs
The Board commended ECA’s ongoing commitment together with UEFA to ensuring the success of men’s UCCs provides financial benefits for all clubs. In 2024/25, a record €448m (over 10% of UCC revenue) was distributed in solidarity, including €308m to non-participating clubs and €140m to clubs who only played qualifiers.
The Board agreed on a series of next steps in the ongoing development of ECA’s strong partnership with FIFA. This included a mandate to finalise with FIFA the mechanism for distributing the significant FIFA Club World Cup solidarity funding to non-participating clubs. The Board also reaffirmed ECA’s commitment to collaborating with FIFA on the continued development of the inaugural FIFA Women’s Club World Cup, scheduled to take place in 2028.
Upcoming New Competitions and Media Partnerships Drive Women’s European Football
ECA has worked closely with UEFA to help deliver a hugely significant step forward for women’s European club football. Starting this season, the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) has been reshaped with an 18-team league phase, driving competition at the highest level and providing access to more clubs. Furthermore, ECA supported UEFA in the development of the new UEFA Women’s Europa Cup, delivering European club football to more clubs and providing a second pathway for clubs exiting UWCL qualifying. These reforms were developed in close consultation with clubs to strengthen competition, visibility and sustainability.
The Board was provided with a commercial update from UC3, the joint venture between ECA and UEFA, on the landmark media partnerships secured to support the reach and growth of the new women’s club formats and competitions. Disney+ will stream every UWCL match across Europe from 2025/26 to 2029/30, complemented by extensive free-to-air coverage via the European Broadcasting Union’s network of major European broadcasters. In the United States, CBS Sports/Paramount+ will carry the competition through 2029/30. These agreements will ensure clubs are given excellent visibility across Europe and beyond.
Clubs and National Teams Working Together to Support Players
Following a presentation on the ongoing cooperation between clubs and national associations, the Board endorsed the work taking place between ECA and UEFA on the development of a Collaboration Charter to further strengthen working relationships in the area of player release for National Team matches.
This will bring clubs and national teams closer together and will benefit international players as well as National Teams. Next steps will include ECA, UEFA and national associations enhancing communications and better facilitating the exchange of player call-up related travel, training and medical information.
Enhancing Away Fan Experience; Supporting Ongoing Development of Supporter Liaison Officers
The Board formally approved the priorities of the new ECA Fans Working Group, which includes representation from clubs in all ECA subdivisions. This Working Group will focus on the sharing of knowledge and best practice between clubs, especially in the area of away fan attendance, and on identifying opportunities to further support the development and professionalisation of club Supporter Liaison Officers.
ECA Member Benefits Providing Opportunities for All Clubs and Stakeholders
The Board was provided with an update on the new ECA Executive Leadership Programme in partnership with Harvard Business School Executive Education. The first intake of 50+ senior executives from member clubs and stakeholders visited the campus of the world-renowned university’s business school in Massachusetts, USA, in early September to kick-start a course to support the development of senior football leaders. Each intake will benefit from a seven-month course including online learning and in-person gatherings at Harvard University in Massachusetts, USA, and at PSG Campus in Paris, France.
ECA General Assembly Will Convene in Rome in October
ECA’s Board will join all member clubs at the ECA General Assembly in Rome, Italy, from 7 to 9 October 2025. The event will bring together senior leaders from many hundreds of ECA members, strategic partners and global football stakeholders to share ideas, discuss current challenges and explore opportunities to drive the game forward.