UEFA: impact of the pandemic on top flight club revenues from 2019-20 to 2020-21 estimated at €7bn

"The overall pandemic impact effect on club revenues over the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons is expected to be €7bn," states UEFA in the 13^th edition of its annual club licensing benchmarking report - "The European Club Footballing Landscape" - published on 03/02/2022 (see below, document available to download).

"One of the starkest findings of the report is that the majority of the lost revenues, €4.4bn and counting, comes from lost gate receipts, with this revenue stream almost wiped out (88% down) during the financial year 2020-21 as a result of empty stands from the health emergency. Gate revenues contributed just 2% of club revenues across Europe, down from 16% pre-pandemic," explained UEFA, while the loss of commercial and sponsorship revenue is estimated at €1.7bn.

"But the publication shows that two key forms of club income remain strong. The new UEFA club competition rights cycle (2021-22 to 2023-24) has seen further growth in broadcast rights revenue," said UEFA, noting that "prize money will increase to over €2.7bn per year, to be shared among the 96 clubs participating in…