Club licensing: Promoting sustainability and stability across European football

Over the past two decades, our club licensing system has embraced better governance, collaboration and sustainability to help shape a stronger future for the game.

The system is regularly adapted to reflect the game's perpetual state of change, offering a transparent and efficient regulatory framework that allows clubs to react to evolving challenges and economic pressures.

This month's annual UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Sustainability Conference in Athens was perfectly timed to reinforce the system's role as a driver of progress, bringing together more than 200 participants, including representatives of all 55 UEFA member associations, football stakeholders and experts to align on raising standards, enhancing governance and unlocking long-term collective growth.

"European football is currently navigating a landscape filled with both promising opportunities and significant challenges," said Aleš Zavrl, UEFA’s head of club licensing.

"In this dynamic context, the club licensing system and financial sustainability framework play a critical role in safeguarding stability, promoting fairness and supporting the long-term development of the game at every level."

Participants during a panel discussion at the Club Licensing and Financial Sustainability conference

Keeping competition fair

The conference reinforced club licensing's role not just as a regulatory tool, but as an opportunity for development both on and off the pitch.

Our solidarity distribution system, as well as updates to our financial sustainability framework, are helping clubs raise standards and access vital funding, while ensuring a level playing field across Europe's domestic leagues.

A panel featuring England's Women’s Super League, the Swedish Football Association (SvFF), the Hellenic Football Federation (HFF) and Greek clubs AEK Athens and Panathinaikos explored how licensing can unlock sustainability in the women’s game, acting as a launchpad to help leagues and clubs further professionalise across Europe.

"Club licensing is a crucial first step in order to improve women’s football sustainability – clarity will follow," said Amalia Thomaidou, head of women's national teams at the Hellenic Football Federation (HFF).

Players' well-being is part of UEFA's club licensing regulationsGetty Images

Club licensing also helps to keep player welfare at the heart of clubs' activities. Medical requirements and anti-doping education were highlighted during the conference, reflecting the community's commitment to players’ well-being from grassroots to elite levels.

As well as opportunities, the conference also addressed risks – in particular the growing threat of financial crime in football, with a dedicated session on anti-money laundering, equipping national associations with tools to identify risks and implement new compliance measures.

Capitalising on UEFA–EFC sustainability momentum

The conference aligned with our new Sustainability Cooperation Plan alongside European Football Clubs (EFC), which puts social and environmental sustainability at the heart of club development.

Club licensing plays a pivotal role in the initiative, encouraging clubs to appoint sustainability officers and implement policies covering sustainability topics such as equality and inclusion, anti-racism, child and youth protection, football for all abilities, and environmental protection.