UEFA’s Changes Generate $4.3B Season

Even without its flagship Euro competition, UEFA enjoyed a successful season. 

European soccer’s governing body generated $4.3 billion (€4.05 billion) in revenue for the 2021-22 season, a decline from the $6 billion reported the year prior but a significant increase from the $3.2 billion posted for 2019-20.

It marked the first time that non-Euro competitive revenue has exceeded €4 billion thanks to a new club competition, the UEFA Europa Conference League, and a new format for the UEFA Women’s League — the knockout round of 16 was replaced by a group stage with four groups of four teams.

Media revenue accounted for 84.5%, or $3.6 billion, of the total. Commercial revenue reached $564.9 million, and ticket revenue hit $38 million. Hospitality revenue brought in $29.5 million, and other revenue reached $31.3 million.

With no men’s Euro tournament and fewer national team matches, club competitions generated 89% of total revenue.

The UEFA Women’s Champions League generated $16 million in revenue, an increase from $1.48 million the year prior. Of the total, 53.3% was generated by media rights sales, with 44.7% brought in from commercial rights. 

UEFA posted a net loss of $80.7 million for the season, which is financed from UEFA’s reserves — which have now dropped below $528.9 million.