In the prestigious setting of the European Parliament, a symbolic venue for decisions that shape the future of Europe, on 26 March from 16.30 to 18.30 the SFS Snack Brussels, entitled “Football and Europe: rules, rights and priority”,presents itself as a key event for debating the governance of European football.
At a time of profound regulatory transformations and global challenges, this event offers a unique opportunity to bring together institutions, experts, and key industry players to outline effective strategies for the sustainable and inclusive development of football. In light of recent regulatory developments, the event will provide a platform for dialogue between institutional representatives, legal experts, and industry leaders to analyze the evolution of the European football landscape and its most pressing challenges.
It will explore the impact of major legal disputes that have shaped the football world, highlighting their implications for governance and the competitive structure of the sector. Crucial topics such as financial fair play, broadcasting rights, and the regulatory framework governing the economic stability of European football will also be addressed.
A specific focus will be dedicated to priority areas for the sector’s future, including infrastructure development, the fight against discrimination, and environmental sustainability in football events—reflecting growing commitment to social responsibility. Hosted by Member of the European Parliament, Dr. Nicola Zingaretti, the event will bring together high- level institutional representatives and key industry stakeholders to explore concrete solutions aimed at making European football more transparent, fair, and future-oriented.
SFS SNACK BRUSSELS – Football and Europe: rules, rights and priority
In the prestigious setting of the European Parliament, a symbolic venue for decisions that shape the future of Europe, on 26 March from 16.30 to 18.30 the SFS Snack Brussels, entitled "Football and Europe: rules, rights and priority",presents itself as a key event for debating the governance of European football. At a time of profound regulatory transformations and global challenges, this event offers a unique opportunity to bring together institutions, experts, and key industry players to outline effective strategies for
Game changers: a snapshot of the top 100 most valuable players
Following the conclusion of the winter transfer window, the latest update of the Football Benchmark Player Valuation Tool has reassessed the market value of over 10,000 players worldwide. This powerful tool, designed for clubs, agents and football governing bodies, provides an objective, data-driven valuation based on key factors such as performance metrics, contract details, age, and broader market trends. It is important to note that a player's market valuation reflects the estimated worth of their current contracts rather than a
Breaking down the record-high expenditure in the winter transfer window
After a summer window that saw a 10% drop in spending, the winter window increased by 8% compared to last season, reaching EUR 1.46 billion. As a result, the total transfer expenditure (summer + winter windows) across top-division UEFA leagues and the English Championship shows a 4% overall drop compared to last season reaching EUR 7.87 bn in 2024/25. This represents a slight decline in expenditure for the first time since the pandemic. With the transfer window now closed for
The Business of Football Academies: How Clubs Create Value from Youth Development?
Key insights:- The evolution of Academy players: From "one-club" legends to strategic assets: Academy players are increasingly viewed as commodities rather than potential club legends, becoming integral components of financial strategies and accounting practices. Despite this shift, the role of academies is more significant than ever, as a well-executed youth development strategy can have substantial impact.- Tailoring the Academy vision to club context: There is no universally correct approach to academy development; the most suitable vision depends on each club’s
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A new report published today by European Club Association lays bare the challenges facing young players as they make the step up from academy to playing at senior level, possibly the most challenging step during a player’s entire career. The report, Transition from Academy to First Team football, has been produced by ECA in association with Football Benchmark and is the latest in a series of studies by the association on youth football. Ultimately, the key objectives of the study were to