UEFA and European Club Association extend strategic partnership

UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) have today extended their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was originally signed in September 2023, and will now run through July 2033.

This development further strengthens the close partnership between UEFA and the ECA. It enhances their long-term collaboration on key governance, sporting and commercial matters for both men’s and women’s competitions. Today’s extension ensures that clubs across Europe continue to reap a wide range of benefits and reaffirms both organisations’ commitment to driving the sustainable growth of European football at every level.

The MoU now extends into the 2030-33 cycle, allowing 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 the commercial rights for UEFA men’s club competitions, including the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League for both the 2027-30 and 2030-33 cycles. This comes in addition to the ongoing joint management of the UEFA Women’s Champions League and the new UEFA women’s club competition (due to launch next season) for the 2025-30 cycle and, now, until 2033.

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin welcomed the extension, stating: “Our partnership with the ECA is the foundation of an inclusive, sustainable and dynamic ecosystem that benefits the entire European football pyramid. Together, we are committed to enhancing the global prominence of UEFA club competitions while ensuring that clubs of all sizes, across every region, continue thrive both on and off the pitch”.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, ECA Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaïfi said: “This renewed Memorandum of Understanding between ECA and UEFA – extending our partnership to 2033 – is fantastic news for all European clubs; and for the future stability and growth of European football. The MoU solidifies our collaboration with UEFA across governance, representation, sporting, regulatory, financial and commercial matters, which will ensure the continued development and success of the game at every level. With ECA’s membership now totalling over 715 clubs of all sizes across 55 countries in Europe, we are delighted to deepen our trusted relationship with UEFA, as the sole representative body of clubs in Europe.”