- Meetings highlight the importance of continued partnership between ECA and key EU stakeholders.
- ECA reaffirms its long-standing advocacy for the European Sport Model.
- UC3 signs landmark marketing agency agreement with Relevent Sports for UEFA men’s club competitions from 2027-2033.
- Appointments made to the ECA Foundation Board and new Fans Working Group.
19 March 2025, Brussels, Belgium
The European Club Association (ECA) has concluded its first Executive Committee and Board Meetings of the year today in Brussels, Belgium. These meetings and related activities provided ECA and its Board with a positive opportunity to reinforce its commitment to strengthening ties with key European Union (EU) institutions and advocating for the European Sport Model.
Over the last two days, ECA has engaged with several key EU stakeholders. ECA Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaïfi and ECA Board Members hosted Commissioner Glenn Micallef, the European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport prior to the Board Meeting, which took place on Wednesday morning. The discussions with Mr Micallef and other EU officials focused on fostering greater collaboration between European football clubs and European institutions, ensuring that the views and priorities of clubs are consistently represented, as well as highlighting that European club football continues to be a force for good in society.
ECA CEO Charlie Marshall addressed the European Parliament Culture Committee on Tuesday, reinforcing ECA's position on the future of the European Sports Model and the EU’s role in shaping policy to strengthen club football throughout its pyramid. ECA has consistently advocated to protect the model’s core principles of solidarity and open competition and to collaborate ever more closely with European governmental institutions.
UC3 signs with Relevent Sports for 2027-33 UMCC cycles
Following the announcement last week, the partnership between UC3 and Relevent Sports was discussed by the Board. UC3, the joint venture between UEFA and ECA, has awarded Relevent Sports a global agency mandate to help market, sell and manage the delivery of the commercial rights to the UEFA men’s club competitions (UMCCs) for six seasons, from 2027/28 to 2032/33. The deal demonstrates the strong partnership between ECA and UEFA, ensuring revenues from the UEFA men’s club competitions will continue to benefit all 745 ECA Member Clubs. It will drive innovation and enhance the global reach of the competitions, boosting their commercial growth prospects and supporting the long-term financial stability of European football.
Board agenda
As the sole body representing European clubs at international levels, recognised by both FIFA and UEFA, ECA continues to engage with EU policymakers to safeguard the game’s long-term future, promote financial sustainability and support regulatory frameworks that protect and incentivise all member clubs across Europe.
ECA’s membership has reached 745 clubs – a 56% increase since the start of 2024. It advocates for the interests and priorities of all its members and provides services to support the professional growth of its clubs. ECA has held 50 events over the past 12 months, providing best practice insights and knowledge-sharing opportunities, that benefit member clubs from all European territories.
The Board gave further consideration to several topics, including:
- The success of the new formats for European men’s club competitions, specifically the recently concluded League Phases and Knockout Rounds of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League.
- ECA’s collaboration with FIFA on the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup this summer. On behalf of its member clubs, ECA has continued to advocate for revenue distribution agreements that reflect the importance of European clubs’ participation and a firm commitment to solidarity for non-participating clubs.
- ECA’s Workstream Charters, outlining the key strategic initiatives underway to drive the implementation of the recent ECA Strategic Review.
- The association’s current financial position, with the first ECA budget approved for the 2025/26 season.
Appointments
ECA has continued to strengthen the representation of all clubs within its elected and appointed leadership positions, and welcomed Trine Hesselund Hopp Møller (FC Nordsjælland, ED&I Representative Subdivision 3) and Ingrid Vanherle (Standard de Liège, Women’s Associated Members representative) to their first ECA Board meeting. Furthermore:
- Michael Verschueren (Independent) will increase his mandate at ECA to providing strategic leadership in the areas of membership, strategy and club development.
- The new ECA Fans Working Group, led by ECA Executive Committee Member Miguel Ángel Gil Marín (Club Atlético de Madrid) named 20 club representatives to its first composition. This working group will ensure that clubs advocate for and develop best practice in improving supporter relationships and engagement with fans in shaping the future of European club football.
Additionally, the Board confirmed the appointment of a new Board Member for ECA’s Foundation: Ebru Köksal. Ms Köksal is a prominent figure in international football administration, known for her leadership in sports governance and advocacy for gender equality.