Insights - Football Benchmark

Multi-Club Ownership: Executive Program

Football Benchmark is proud to announce the launch of the Multi-Club Ownership Executive Program, an in-person masterclass taking place in Milan on 25–26 June 2025.

Reserve Teams: Talent accelerators or institutional afterthoughts?

Reserve teams sit at the intersection of youth development and professional football — but their role across Europe remains anything but uniform. In this article, we unpack how reserve teams are used across UEFA member associations, with a special focus on Spain’s embedded model and contrasting approaches in Germany, Italy, France, and England. Real Sociedad, Athletic Club, FC Barcelona, and Real Madrid show how B teams can serve as fast-track platforms, not long-term holding areas, when aligned with strong academy systems. The key takeaway: reserve teams are not a universal solution. Their value depends on context: regulatory, financial, and cultural.

Attendances in Women’s Football: Strategic Drivers and Outlook

As women’s club football continues to gain ground across Europe, stadium attendances are on the rise. With major media revenues still developing, matchday income is becoming a vital pillar in the sport’s commercial model. In this article, we break down the key drivers behind attendance growth in the top four UEFA women’s leagues — from the pull of marquee matchups to the impact of smarter fixture scheduling. The piece explores both the growing momentum and the structural challenges still facing the women’s game. The key question: how do we convert one-off spikes into consistent, season-long engagement?

Rising Crowds, Rising Opportunities: Harnessing Attendance Growth

Matchday attendances across Europe’s top leagues have surged beyond pre-pandemic levels — driven by renewed demand for live experiences and strategic stadium investment. As traditional revenue streams mature, clubs have a timely opportunity to reimagine matchday as a key pillar of long-term growth — shifting from one-off visits to sustained fan engagement. This article explores the structural drivers behind this growth.

The Free Agent Paradox: Player Valuation, Risk, and Opportunity

As the 2024/25 season winds down, a growing number of key players across Europe are approaching free agency — creating both strategic dilemmas and hidden opportunities for clubs. In this article, we explore the “Free Agent Paradox”: how clubs can navigate contract expiries using predicted market valuations, balancing financial risk with long-term squad planning. With over 280 potential free agents in the Big Five leagues, the stakes are high as teams weigh renewals, transitions, and untapped value.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Transfer to Saudi Arabia: Assessing the Broader Impact

In this article, we analyse the broader impact of Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia — a transfer that extends well beyond the pitch. Marquee moves in recent years — such as Neymar’s transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, Lionel Messi’s post-Barcelona journey, or Ronaldo’s move to Juventus — have all been assessed through multi-dimensional lens. Yet, Ronaldo’s transfer to Al-Nassr in December 2022 stands apart: not merely a sporting acquisition, but a catalyst for a broader transformation in Saudi Arabian football and national positioning.

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