Champions League: Is the rise of the superclubs becoming a problem?

Eight clubs in the 2021-2022 Champions League possess a considerable financial edge over the remaining 28 teams, raising concerns about the future of the competition. With TV and commercial revenue on the rise, UEFA needs to be cautious. The 36-team league phase lineup features these eight clubs in the top positions, with revenue figures reaching up to €1bn per season.

Real Madrid and Barcelona, both in the top spot, earned over €1bn last season, while the bottom 15 teams combined earned less. The biggest financial gap is between the top eight clubs and the rest, with the revenue difference between Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund amounting to €330m. This disparity is even greater when compared to 36th-placed Sabah, an Azerbaijani debutant team.

Despite the lack of last year's figures, it is safe to assume the same pattern persists. Over the past 16 years, only twice has a non-superclub champion emerged from the competition, both instances involving Chelsea, suggesting the "Big Nine" have dominated. The Premier League's five teams this season, compared to last year's six, further contribute to the problem.

This trend is not limited to the Champions League; Bundesliga and Ligue 1 exhibit similar disparities. Even though the commercial rights for the upcoming cycle have increased by about 20%, the market appears unconcerned. Nonetheless, the shrinking pool of contenders in the Champions League may become a concern in the future.