UEFA/Covid-19: clubs lost €7bn from 2019-20 to 2021-22, including €4.3bn in matchday revenue

European clubs lost €7bn to Covid-19 during the 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, according to UEFA in the 14^th edition of its annual club licensing benchmarking report - "The European Club Footballing Landscape" - published on 10/02/2023.

Of the €7bn in losses, €4.3bn was lost in matchday revenues, €1.3bn in commercial partnerships and sponsorship, €1bn in TV rights and €400m in UEFA redistribution. These losses were offset by €900m in public aid and subsidies, according to the European Confederation.

French, Portuguese and Turkish clubs suffered "the largest percentage revenue losses. In the case of France and Portugal, two of Europe's most successful talent developers, there was also a double hit as transfer volumes and prices dropped during the pandemic, thus impacting profits," added UEFA.

While European clubs' revenue levels in 2021 were 7.8% below pre-pandemic levels (2019), early results for the 2022 financial year from clubs that have already published their accounts show that revenues have largely returned to pre-pandemic levels. A 4.1% increase in turnover was recorded…