Diana J. Wilson’s Post

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝟱𝟬 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯𝘀 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲 If you saw my last post, it may not surprise you that a significant portion of these 50 clubs are from the Bundesliga and the English Premier League. Yet, a few names might catch you off guard. 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀, 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀, 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀! Altogether, these clubs have distributed around 20.5 million tickets so far, averaging an attendance demand of approximately 53.7k tickets per match and a stadium utilization rate of about 90%. To make it onto this list, clubs needed to distribute at least 42.5k tickets per game. 𝟱𝟬 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯𝘀, 𝟭𝟲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀, 𝗮 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴. Though the list includes familiar faces from the Big-5 leagues, several other leagues are represented, each with at least one fan-favorite boasting high seat capacity. The current ranking even features clubs from Brazil, China, Mexico, and Scotland, among others. And interestingly, sitting at number two is River Plate—a club from Argentina. 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝘄𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀. While the English Premier League shows the strongest ticket demand both in absolute and relative terms, German football remains a powerhouse for attendance. Notably, with Barcelona’s Camp Nou under reconstruction, Borussia Dortmund claims the top spot, with Bayern Munich (#3) and Schalke 04 (#10) both making the top 10. Overall, a quarter of the clubs on this list are from Germany, with the surprising addition of six clubs from Bundesliga 2. 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵? Though it's a bit technical (and where "the fine print" really matters), it's worth noting that, despite an average stadium utilization of around 90%, only 13% of matches are complete sell-outs. Why? These clubs already supply, on average, 60.8k seats per match—a substantial amount. Given demographic shifts, it’s interesting to see that stadium expansions are still on the horizon, especially in the UK. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁. All data here is sourced from public data (Transfermarkt, as of November 13th) and should be considered a measure of tickets distributed, not actual physical attendance. This includes free tickets and season tickets, whose holders sometimes don’t attend, leading to instances of no-shows. So, while the figures are impressive, they approximate demand at best rather than displaying actual attendance, with some counts potentially inflated (due to no-shows) and others limited by stadium capacity.

MUST READ: How the Liberty A-League can learn from the incredible growth of NWSL: As the A-League Women's Grand Final approaches and season comes to an end, it is a time to reflect on a season of incredible growth and broken records. Similarly to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) post-2015 Women's World Cup, there was a popularity boost that translated into increased attendances and revenue for the league. However, as the NWSL continued to rapidly develop, it seems as if the Liberty A-League struggled to consistently grow after a fantastic first round showing that involved a record-breaking 11,471 crowd for the Sydney Derby. In the top 10 attendances of the regular season, eight feature games played before the new year despite the Matildas set to sell out a 14th consecutive home match before the Olympics commence in July. The Liberty A-League crowd average is a little over 2,200 per match, which is a great benchmark for future growth but doesn't do the participation and momentum justice. The NWSL is a great case study to look at, with the league being formed only 12 years ago in 2012 and its first season started in the April of 2013. In its formative years, the NWSL averaged an attendance 4,270, with a high of 17,619. A decent foundation but plenty of room to improve in the world's biggest sporting market. It wasn't until the 2015 season where the league was forced into a shortened schedule and some early-season roster instability due to the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada. The World Cup, which was won emphatically by the USWNT also provided invaluable exposure to the NWSL, which was credited with boosting attendance numbers across the league. Instantly, teams such as Seattle and Washington who averaged 3,500 crowds per game were selling upwards of 6,000 to their next home game, an immediate resurgence. So what did the NWSL do to fast-track growth using the World Cup? Ticket prices The NWSL, immediately after the 2015 Women’s World Cup pledged to keep the ticket prices consistent within teams, as it sat at $10-$15 USD (AUD $15-$23) across the league. It was extremely cheap in a saturated and quite expensive US Sports market that allowed the league to use it as a point of difference. It's a simple solution that Melbourne City coach Dario Vidosic hinted at for this weekend's Grand Final in his recent press conference. Vidosic claimed that "If it was up to him, everyone would be let in for free for Saturday's final." This is simply to create an exciting atmosphere that legitimises the league's biggest game of the year on a national stage. Breakaway from Men's competition NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman made an extremely interesting point about the NWSL being its own entity. Speaking to reporters at the Financial Times' Business of Football summit in London, Berman said the "superpower" of the NWSL was its… #Football #Soccer #FootballNews

How the Liberty A-League can learn from the incredible growth of NWSL: As the A-League Women's Grand Final approaches and season comes to an end, it is a time to reflect on a season of incredible growth and broken records. Similarly to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) post-2015 Women's World Cup, there was a popularity boost that translated into increased attendances and revenue for the league. However, as the NWSL continued to rapidly develop, it seems as if the Liberty A-League struggled to consistently grow after a fantastic first round showing that involved a record-breaking 11,471 crowd for the Sydney Derby. In the top 10 attendances of the regular season, eight feature games played before the new year despite the Matildas set to sell out a 14th consecutive home match before the Olympics commence in July. The Liberty A-League crowd average is a little over 2,200 per match, which is a great benchmark for future growth but doesn't do the participation and momentum justice. The NWSL is a great case study to look at, with the league being formed only 12 years ago in 2012 and its first season started in the April of 2013. In its formative years, the NWSL averaged an attendance 4,270, with a high of 17,619. A decent foundation but plenty of room to improve in the world's biggest sporting market. It wasn't until the 2015 season where the league was forced into a shortened schedule and some early-season roster instability due to the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada. The World Cup, which was won emphatically by the USWNT also provided invaluable exposure to the NWSL, which was credited with boosting attendance numbers across the league. Instantly, teams such as Seattle and Washington who averaged 3,500 crowds per game were selling upwards of 6,000 to their next home game, an immediate resurgence. So what did the NWSL do to fast-track growth using the World Cup? Ticket prices The NWSL, immediately after the 2015 Women’s World Cup pledged to keep the ticket prices consistent within teams, as it sat at $10-$15 USD (AUD $15-$23) across the league. It was extremely cheap in a saturated and quite expensive US Sports market that allowed the league to use it as a point of difference. It's a simple solution that Melbourne City coach Dario Vidosic hinted at for this weekend's Grand Final in his recent press conference. Vidosic claimed that "If it was up to him, everyone would be let in for free for Saturday's final." This is simply to create an exciting atmosphere that legitimises the league's biggest game of the year on a national stage. Breakaway from Men's competition NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman made an extremely interesting point about the NWSL being its own entity. Speaking to reporters at the Financial Times' Business of Football summit in London, Berman said the "superpower" of the NWSL was its "independence" -… #Football #Soccer #FootballNews

There are only two Brazilian football (soccer) clubs in the Top-50 ticket distribution. That says how sport is managed in Brazil. Not surprised, but I think Brazilian temas can do a lot better given the large stadium recently built/renovated in the Country, such as Fonte Nova, Morumbi, Maracanã, Arena do Grêmio and others. Selling out stadiums in Brazil is a challenge. Unsafe stadiums, overpriced tickets, scheduling, and etc. The American Ownership mode of sports has increased a lot in recent years. I am curious to see how that is going to affect ticket distruibution and fan experience. What lessons can the Brazilian teams learn from this?

ICYMI: How the Liberty A-League can learn from the incredible growth of NWSL: As the A-League Women's Grand Final approaches and season comes to an end, it is a time to reflect on a season of incredible growth and broken records. Similarly to the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) post-2015 Women's World Cup, there was a popularity boost that translated into increased attendances and revenue for the league. However, as the NWSL continued to rapidly develop, it seems as if the Liberty A-League struggled to consistently grow after a fantastic first round showing that involved a record-breaking 11,471 crowd for the Sydney Derby. In the top 10 attendances of the regular season, eight feature games played before the new year despite the Matildas set to sell out a 14th consecutive home match before the Olympics commence in July. The Liberty A-League crowd average is a little over 2,200 per match, which is a great benchmark for future growth but doesn't do the participation and momentum justice. The NWSL is a great case study to look at, with the league being formed only 12 years ago in 2012 and its first season started in the April of 2013. In its formative years, the NWSL averaged an attendance 4,270, with a high of 17,619. A decent foundation but plenty of room to improve in the world's biggest sporting market. It wasn't until the 2015 season where the league was forced into a shortened schedule and some early-season roster instability due to the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada. The World Cup, which was won emphatically by the USWNT also provided invaluable exposure to the NWSL, which was credited with boosting attendance numbers across the league. Instantly, teams such as Seattle and Washington who averaged 3,500 crowds per game were selling upwards of 6,000 to their next home game, an immediate resurgence. So what did the NWSL do to fast-track growth using the World Cup? Ticket prices The NWSL, immediately after the 2015 Women’s World Cup pledged to keep the ticket prices consistent within teams, as it sat at $10-$15 USD (AUD $15-$23) across the league. It was extremely cheap in a saturated and quite expensive US Sports market that allowed the league to use it as a point of difference. It's a simple solution that Melbourne City coach Dario Vidosic hinted at for this weekend's Grand Final in his recent press conference. Vidosic claimed that "If it was up to him, everyone would be let in for free for Saturday's final." This is simply to create an exciting atmosphere that legitimises the league's biggest game of the year on a national stage. Breakaway from Men's competition NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman made an extremely interesting point about the NWSL being its own entity. Speaking to reporters at the Financial Times' Business of Football summit in London, Berman said the "superpower" of the NWSL was its "independence"… #Football #Soccer #FootballNews

MLS now ranks second only to the Premier League in fan attendance, surpassing Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A in stadium crowds. Football (soccer) in the US is experiencing a phenomenal rise, with the MLS now boasting the second-highest attendance figures among domestic leagues globally. This growth is a testament to the incredible work happening at grassroots levels, as well as the increasing number of businesses and players making their mark on the global stage. The MLS is no longer just an American league—it's becoming a global contender, sending players to top clubs worldwide and showcasing the U.S. as a hub for football innovation. As someone fortunate to work in the global football industry, I’m thrilled to witness and contribute to this movement. Developing young players and fostering their love and understanding of the game is at the heart of this growth. While challenges arise, they also present opportunities to adapt, improve, and build stronger foundations for the future. Let’s keep pushing boundaries, building talent, and showing the world that U.S. soccer is here to stay. 🌍⚽ https://lnkd.in/e8q2T5EJ FIFA Major League Soccer U.S. Soccer Federation #FIFA #fifaagent #football #footballagent #FIFAWorldCup #soccer #sustainability #impact #business #usa

Exciting Changes Ahead: The New UEFA Champions League Format! 🏆⚽ The UEFA Champions League is set for a major transformation starting from the 2024-2025 season, bringing new dynamics and increased excitement to Europe's premier club competition. Here's a quick rundown of the revamped format: Expanded Group Stage: The traditional group stage will be replaced with a single league phase featuring 36 teams, up from the current 32. Each team will play 8 matches against different opponents, ensuring a more diverse range of matchups. Introduction of the 'Swiss Model': This new format, known as the 'Swiss Model,' will see teams drawn into a single league table rather than being divided into groups. The top teams from this league phase will advance to the knockout rounds. Enhanced Knockout Rounds: The knockout stage will now feature 16 teams instead of the previous 16. This will include a two-legged round of 16, followed by a single-leg quarter-final, semi-final, and final format, adding more excitement and intensity to the latter stages of the competition. Increased Inclusivity: The new format aims to increase the number of teams participating in the knockout stages and provide more opportunities for clubs from various leagues to showcase their talents on the European stage. These changes are designed to enhance the competitiveness and spectacle of the tournament, giving fans even more thrilling football action to look forward to! #ChampionsLeague #Football #UEFA #Sports #FootballFans

The new 2024/25 UEFA Conference League 🚀 Rising revenues for football clubs. ✅ The new format ☑ Revenues will rise for the teams ☑ There won't be more matches: ▪ For the 1st phase there will remain six. ▪ The 36 teams will be placed in a single classification (no more rounds). ✅ $ Prizes UEFA has allocated €285m/season for the next 3 years (vs €255m) ☑ How will the €285m be distributed? ▪ 40% to qualified clubs: €114m (vs €94m last cycle) ▪ 40% to performance-related results: €114m (vs €94m) ▪ 20% will be allocated to the new calculation (instead of the market pool) just created by UEFA: €57m (vs €47m) 1️⃣ The starting quota - €114m Each of the 36 clubs qualifying for the group stage will receive an allocation of €3.17m 2️⃣ Performance bonuses - €114m Will be awarded for each match in the group stage: ✔ €400K per win ✔ €133K per draw More: ▪ The undistributed amounts - €133K per draw - will be pooled and redistributed among the clubs according to the league phase standings. ▪ As there will no longer be a group division, there will be no bonuses for the first and second runners-up (€650K and €325K respectively). ▪ Based on the final ranking of the first phase, teams will receive bonuses (1 to 36 quota worth €28K) Plus: ▪ Teams that finish in the top 8 of the first phase standings: will receive an additional €400K (automatically qualified for the round of 16) ▪ Teams from 9th to 16th place will receive an additional €200K. (will have to play a play-off round among themselves to enter the knockout phase). ▪ The others will be eliminated and receive no prize. ✅ $ Prizes Knockout phase Clubs that qualify for the knockout phase can expect: 🔸 Qualification to the round of 16 play-offs: €200K per club (vs €300K in the 2021/24 cycle). 🔸 Qualification to the round of 16: €800K per club (vs €600K) 🔸 Qualification to the quarter-finals: €1.3m per club (vs €1m) 🔸 Qualification to the semi-finals: €2.5m per club (vs €2m) 🔹 Qualification to the final: €4m per club (vs. €3m in the 2021/24 cycle) 🏆 The winning team: €3m (vs €2m in the previous cycle) 3️⃣ UEFA's new distribution criterion - €57m This mechanism replaces the market pool and the historical ranking (21/24 cycle) that weighed the same %. This criterion is split in two and will focus on the share of television rights. ✅ Final Thoughts I don't think we should define the Conference as the 3rd cup. Or as a little trophy. It's a tournament that allows 36 more to compete in Europe. To some 600 players to measure themselves against teams they have never faced. ❗ Too many fans to dream of a trophy. 👉 The increased prizes will make: 🔹 the Conference League more important 🔹 the national leagues more competitive, where clubs will fight to the last for a place in this European competition. ❓ Who will be the next Champion? #footballbusiness #sportbiz #linkedinsports

Do you want to know the top 10 best football clubs in 2023? We have discussed recent performances and successes of European clubs and made a list according to that. #football #top10 #sports #sportswriting #sportsjournalism #contentwriting #articlewriting #letsconnect

🏆⚽ The UEFA European Championships (EURO) 2024 have kicked off Germany! As we gear up for a month-long football fest, let’s dive into the financial impact of the EURO on UEFA, Germany, and compare it with other major football tournaments. 🔹 EURO vs. World Cup & Champions League: The EURO is the second-largest national team event, only behind the FIFA World Cup, and is on par with the UEFA Champions League in terms of viewership and revenue. EURO 2020 saw a cumulative live audience of 5.2 billion, with the finals attracting 328 million viewers. Comparatively, the World Cup final in 2022 reached 1.5 billion viewers, while the Champions League final garners around 450 million annually. 🔹 Revenue Insights: In non-EURO years, club competitions (Champions League, Europa League) drive 85–90% of UEFA’s revenue. In EURO years, national team competitions contribute around 45% of total revenues. EURO 2024 is expected to generate €2.44 billion, highlighting its significance despite having fewer games than the Champions League. 🔹 Economic Boost for Germany: According to the Ifo Institute, Germany can expect a €1 billion ($1.07 billion) boost to its economy from foreign tourists during EURO 2024. This corresponds to about 0.1% of economic output in the second quarter, with the hospitality and food retail sectors benefiting the most. More than 600,000 additional foreign tourists and 1.5 million additional overnight stays are expected, echoing the impact of the 2006 FIFA World Cup hosted by Germany. 🔹 Favourites to Watch: England: The squad is valued at €1.52 billion, and key players include Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Bukayo Saka. France: Valued at €1.23 billion, with stars like Kylian Mbappé, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurélien Tchouaméni. Portugal: Worth €1.05 billion, featuring Rafael Leao, Ruben Dias, and Bruno Fernandes. Spain: Valued at €0.97 billion, with standout players such as Rodri, Lamine Yamal, and Pedri. Germany: The hosts are valued at €0.85 billion, and key players are Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, and Leroy Sané. These teams, rich in talent and valued highly in the market, are the top contenders for the EURO 2024 trophy. Their performance will be crucial not just for national pride but also for the tournament's overall impact. As we enjoy the games and gather for public viewings, let's appreciate the immense value and excitement the EURO brings to the football world and beyond. The UEFA EURO 2024 isn’t just a football event; it's a catalyst for growth and development in European football. Get ready for a spectacular summer of football! 🎉🥳 #Euro2024 #UEFA #TeamFavourites