"A missing generation": report points to declining interest in football among 16-24 year olds (ECA)

"40% of survey respondents aged 16-24 claimed to have no interest in football, sparking fears of a 'missing generation' of fans," according to the ECA, which published a report entitled "Fan of the Future: Defining Modern Football Fandom" (document available to download) which focuses on how fans engage with and consume football, on 02/09/2020.

"Engagement in the youngest age bracket is strong, with 84% of 8-15 year olds having a huge to passing interest in the sport," explained the European Club Association, whose report is based on a survey of "14,000 respondents across seven different markets globally (UK, Spain, Germany, Poland, Netherlands, India and Brazil)."

The document "seeks to provide a holistic view of what it means to be a football fan in 2020 and beyond, looking at themes such as club affinity, engagement, and consumer behaviour, and what impact the evolving trends in these areas have on football clubs," said the ECA.

"The wide-ranging report has significant implications for clubs, leagues and competitions. Delivering practical recommendations, the report and its…