Future of Football Finance: What’s Next?

Future of Football Finance: What’s Next?

As European club revenues surpass €30 billion in 2025–26 (Deloitte & UEFA), rising costs are accelerating the shift toward smarter, faster capital strategies. Traditional debt is evolving, with clubs leveraging stadium revenues and naming rights, while players access liquidity through contract-backed financing and transfer receivables. At the same time, blockchain and digital assets are enabling new ownership and collateral models, from tokenised media rights to fan ecosystems and future revenues, unlocking more flexible, global sources of capital.

The central question for 2026 is therefore not simply about access to capital, but about capability: which organisations will most effectively transform future cash flows into resilient, sustainable balance-sheet value? Success will depend on the ability to integrate financial innovation with sound governance, risk management, and long-term strategic vision.

This executive series brings together leading figures from across football, finance, and legal practice to explore these themes from multiple perspectives:

Programme

• Jun 1 – Maheta Molango (CEO, Professional Footballers’ Association)
  Venue: UCL East Community Cinema 1 Poole Street
  
• Jun 2 – John Bowater (Director, Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club)
  Venue: Marshgate Lecture Theatre 118
  
• Jun 3 – Mladen Kostov (CEO, GRVTY Technologies Ltd) and Rahul Mehta (Director, ParkerLloyd Group)
  Venue: Marshgate Lecture Theatre 118
  
• Jun 4 – Domenico Scopelliti (Sports Lawyer) and Oliver Ducret (Sports Lawyer)
  Venue: Marshgate 509
  
• Jun 5 – Matthew Benham (Owner, Brentford Football Club)
  Venue: Marshgate Lecture Theatre 118
  

Time: 16:00-18:00
Institute of Finance & Technology UCL East
Marshgate Building, 7 Sidings St, London E20 2AE

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Host or Publisher UCL Institute of Finance & Technology