English clubs still dominate the football industry

OVER €10 billion was spent on player transfers in the last summer window and once more, the Premier League was leading the way. Over 50% of global deal value and 60%-plus of all domestic transfer activity worldwide involved English clubs.

Transactions between English clubs accounted for €1.5 billion, a 44% increase versus the summer window of 2025. UEFA's latest European Club Talent and Competition Landscape report underlined the power of the Premier League in the market.

UEFA's report reveals a record 242 million people attended football in Europe in the 2025-26 season. Twenty-seven top tier leagues posted an increase in attendances, notably Greece (+16%) and Russia (+10%), but just England (+3%), Germany (+10%) and Spain (+3%) of the so-called "big five" European leagues saw their crowds rise.

Nineteen clubs in Europe drew over one million spectators, with six averaging over 70,000 at their home fixtures. Borussia Dortmund enjoyed the biggest crowds, an average of 81,365, while their German rivals, Bayern Munich, attracted the second highest (75,000).

Manchester United (73,975), AC Milan (73,373), Inter Milan (73,020) and Real Madrid (71,549) were the other 70,000-plus clubs. Across Europe, 1,100 games in top tier leagues generated a capacity utilisation rate of 95%.

UEFA's boast that 36 leagues crowned a different champion in 2025-26 from the previous season is not necessarily a demonstration of football democracy. While it is good for a league to see a new champion, often it is a temporary blip or the lesser of two or three major clubs taking their turn at the top.

Aside from first-time Swiss champions Thun, Azerbaijan's Sabah and Luxembourg's Atert Bissen, there are few additions to the roll-call of champions. In most cases, the names are very familiar.

What changes more often is the team coach at a club. In 2025-26, there were 738 managerial changes with 63% of all European top flight clubs making at least one change.

Two thirds (488) were made in mid-season. Interestingly, half of all head coaches in Europe leave their position within a year.