Landmark Royal Antwerp case is another test of EU’s appetite to help football consumers
EU law protects market competition but has been used too little to help football fans. Worse still, Europe has helped the big clubs to increase their market power, writes Tsjalle van der Burg. Football tickets have become expensive. Paris Saint-Germain currently top the European ranking: in 2024-25, the average admission price for a seat was [...]
EU law protects market competition, yet its application to football fans has been limited, writes Tsjalle van der Burg. Ticket prices have soared; Paris Saint-Germain's 2024-25 average admission is €139, followed by Barcelona, Real Madrid, and four English clubs. Bayern Munich is eighth at €79, with prices likely rising further this year.
The EU shares some responsibility for this trend. Fans prefer clubs capable of winning major trophies. The 1970s saw five French clubs national champions, while in the past decade, PSG has clinched eight titles. Fewer options for French champions mean less competition in French consumer markets, contributing to high ticket prices.
Similar patterns exist elsewhere. EU competition law safeguards market competition but has seldom been employed to aid football fans. Worse, Europe has aided big clubs in gaining market power. The 1995 Bosman ruling allowed expiring players to move without transfer fees, benefiting wealthy clubs and diminishing competitive balance.
The court deemed free worker movement ("hard law") relevant but ultimately upheld the transfer system exception, overlooking that reduced competitive balance limits clubs' ability to win major trophies, thus curbing consumer market competition. The court should have balanced hard law of worker mobility against hard law of consumer competition and the soft law of public interest in exciting matches.
A 2024 ruling further weakened the transfer system. The 2023 Royal Antwerp ruling could further undermine competitive balance if Belgium's court weakens or abolishes the "homegrown players" quota. This rule's aim to curb rich clubs from fielding top talent promotes competitive balance in consumer markets, providing a hard-law argument.
The EU should ban Super Leagues, which would reduce club profitability, encourage democratic decision-making in federations, and ultimately benefit fans through lower prices and greater excitement. However, EU sports legislation remains insufficient to protect fans, small clubs, and overall welfare.
Written by urgent.news from City AM's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
