Clubs
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Collaboration with clubs at all levels of the game is essential for the continued success of our men's and women's competitions as well as the long-term stability and sustainability of European football.
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Our close working relationship with European clubs, particularly through the European Club Association (ECA), plays a fundamental role in delivering some of the best sports competitions in the world.
The partnership with the ECA and its membership of more than 700 clubs, goes back to a 2008 memorandum of understanding (MoU), which recognised the association as the sole body representing the interests of European clubs.
Our longstanding cooperation covers a range of issues facing men’s and women’s clubs, including governance, representation, regulatory, financial and sporting matters. Most recently, it has helped to facilitate the 2024–27 evolution of our men's club competitions.
"The renewed memorandum of understanding, extending our partnership to 2033, is fantastic news for all European clubs and for the future stability and growth of European football."
Building on more than 15 years of working together, in September 2023, we renewed the MoU, extending our cooperation with the ECA until 2030. The agreement underlined our joint commitment to the core principles of the European sports model that underpin all UEFA competitions, including an open system of promotion and relegation and qualification on sporting merit. It also paved the way for a new revenue distribution model, introduced for the 2024–27 club competition cycle, which significantly increases solidarity payments to clubs that do not qualify for Europe.
One year later, UEFA and the ECA extended the MoU by a further three years until July 2033. This allowed the UEFA Club Competitions SA (UCCSA) – the joint venture between UEFA and the ECA – to move forward with appointing a marketing and sales agency(ies) to manage commercial rights for UEFA’s elite men’s club competitions for both the 2027-30 and 2030-33 cycle. This decision also prolonged our joint management of the Women’s Champions League and the new UEFA women’s club competition (due to launch in 2025/26) from 2025-30 to 2033.
How we collaborate
Two ECA representatives sit on our Executive Committee with the same rights and duties as other members.
We also work with professional European clubs in our various standing committees and working groups, ensuring they are consulted on matters related to our competitions and the overall sustainability of the game.
Where we work together
UEFA’s cooperation with clubs includes:
Our club competitions
- Qualification, structure and scheduling, as well as logistical and promotional activities
Financial distribution
- Mechanisms for prize money and solidarity payments to non-competing clubs
Club licensing and financial sustainability
- Criteria for awarding UEFA club competition licences; adherence to our financial sustainability regulations
Regulatory and disciplinary matters
- Player eligibility, transfers, disciplinary matters and conduct
Sustainability and Social Responsibility
- Raising standards and promoting values
Youth development
- Incentives for talent development
Stadium infrastructure and facilities
- Standards for sustainability, safety, accessibility and amenities
