Schalke 04 launches Fan Cooperative to secure financial future and Arena ownership
Schalke 04 has launched a new initiative to tackle its financial challenges and secure ownership of the Veltins Arena. The cooperative, called Auf Schalke eG, allows fans, members and businesses to buy shares for €250 each, with a one-time joining fee of €75 (€500 for businesses). Each participant gets one vote, regardless of the number of shares owned.
The club, burdened with over €162m in debt after relegation from the Bundesliga in 2022-23, aims to use the funds to buy back stadium shares from third parties, including the City of Gelsenkirchen. Partnering with cooperative experts Genoverband, Schalke has issued 190,400 shares, matching its membership base. Just three days after its launch on 22 January, the initiative has already raised approximately €3.5m from over 4,000 participants.
F.C. København gains approval to implement facial recognition at matches
The Danish Data Protection Authority has approved F.C. København’s use of automated facial recognition, allowing the technology to be implemented at both home and away matches. The club plans to begin rolling out the system during the spring season. F.C. København’s invested in this technology in 2023 and 2024 to enhance security and maintain order in the stadium. The system will improve the club’s ability to assign and enforce suspensions at matches.The rollout will be gradual, starting with Parken Stadium in the spring. Full implementation is expected by the start of the 2025/2026 season.
San Siro achieves record revenue with concert growth and museum & tour attendance
MI Stadio, the company jointly owned by AC Milan and Inter Milan to manage the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro), has announced record revenues for the year ending 30 June, 2024. The financial performance was driven largely by a surge in concerts and increased attendance for museum and stadium tour attendance. The venue generated €36.2m in revenue, a significant increase from the €27.1m earned the previous year. Concerts played a major role, with 24 events held in 2023-24 compared to 14 the year before. This nearly doubled concert-related income from €5.6m to €11.9m.
AC Milan and Inter remain key contributors as the stadium’s primary tenants, accounting for €10.9m of revenue, including €9.1m in rent. Additionally, the number of visitors to the Meazza museum and official stadium tours jumped from 181,219 to 268,524, boosting revenue from €4.3m to €6.3m. Despite the record revenue, MI Stadio’s profit fell from €3.6m to €1.3m. Nevertheless, MI Stadio has remained profitable for the fifth year in a row.
Principality Stadium roof to stay closed for Wales’ International rugby matches
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has announced a significant change in protocol: the roof at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium will remain closed for all of Wales’ international rugby fixtures over the next two years. Agreed in partnership with Six Nations Rugby, the closed-roof policy replaces the previous system where decisions were made in consultation with visiting teams. The WRU hopes the change will provide Wales with a stronger home advantage while ensuring consistent conditions for players and fans. The new protocol will debut during Wales’ sold-out Six Nations matches against Ireland on 22 February and England on 15 March, with 74,000 fans expected at each game.
WRU Group CEO Abi Tierney expressed excitement about the upcoming matches and the atmosphere the closed roof will create. “Selling out both of our home fixtures is an achievement reflective of the passion and belief Welsh rugby fans have for this team,” said Tierney. “The Principality Stadium is one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world, and the roof allows us to enhance the matchday experience.”
Stadium Manager Mark Williams emphasized the impact of the decision, calling it a “historic move.” He noted the intimidating atmosphere created when the roof is closed, saying, “There’s no better atmosphere than a packed-out Principality Stadium roaring Wales along. With the roof shut, the noise is incredible – it’s fantastic for both the fans and players.” The WRU stated that the decision ensures optimal conditions, enhances the fan experience and highlights the stadium’s distinctive features, setting the stage for an unforgettable Six Nations Championship in Cardiff.
Montenegro targets fully upgraded National Stadium by 2028
The Football Association of Montenegro (FSCG) has announced plans to transform Stadion pod Goricom into a fully operational, four-sided venue by 2028. Currently, the national stadium operates with only three modern stands, leaving the outdated East Stand overshadowed by the rest. The upgrade will address this issue by introducing a new 6,100-seat structure, enhancing the country’s largest football venue.
Following a meeting between the City of Podgorica, JP Sportski and the FSCG, it was confirmed that the FSCG will finance the project. The redevelopment will include state-of-the-art media facilities, commercial spaces and two levels of parking, covering a total area of over 37,000 square meters. The Government of Montenegro is also investing in the project, while ownership of the stadium remains with the City.
Georgia plans 70,000-seat stadium to boost sports and tourism
Georgia’s Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, has unveiled plans for a new 70,000-capacity stadium to be built on the outskirts of Tbilisi, aiming to elevate the country’s sports infrastructure and international appeal. The announcement followed the first meeting of an interagency commission tasked with overseeing the project. A Dutch consultancy firm will guide the development, with additional expertise provided by UEFA. The stadium is designed as a multifunctional venue to host top-tier football and rugby tournaments, as well as high-profile concerts and conventions.
Two suburban locations are being considered for the stadium: an area near Tbilisi International Airport and the city of Rustavi, approximately 19km southeast of the capital. The government plans to finalize the site following consultations with the Dutch advisors. The new stadium will replace the Boris Paitchadze Dinamo Arena and is currently the country’s largest venue. Construction is expected to begin in April 2026, with a completion target of late 2028 described as “absolutely realistic.” In addition to bolstering Georgia’s ability to host major sporting events, the project aims to enhance its tourism sector by integrating state-of-the-art concert facilities and a convention centre.
Real Madrid tops Deloitte Football Money League with record €1bn revenue
Real Madrid has retained its position as the highest-earning football club in Deloitte’s Football Money League, becoming the first to surpass €1bn in revenue during the 2023-24 season. The club’s matchday earnings at the revamped Estadio Santiago Bernabéu were a key factor in its record-breaking year, doubling to €248m. Deloitte’s report revealed that the top 20 revenue-generating clubs amassed a record €11.2bn in 2023-24, a 6% increase from the previous season. Matchday revenue grew by 11%, becoming the fastest-growing revenue stream, with contributions boosted by expanded stadium capacities, higher ticket prices and premium offerings.
Behind Real Madrid, the top five clubs in the Money League were Manchester City (€838m), Paris Saint-Germain (€806m), Manchester United (€771m) and Bayern Munich (€765m). PSG posted the second-highest matchday revenue (€171.1m), followed by Arsenal (€153.4m) and Manchester United (€152.1m).
Matchday revenue across the Money League surpassed €2bn for the first time, accounting for 18% of total income. Meanwhile, commercial revenue remained the largest source, contributing €4.9bn (44% of total income), while broadcast revenue stayed at €4.3bn. Barcelona, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea completed the top 10, with clubs like Borussia Dortmund, Atlético de Madrid, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Newcastle United ranking in the 11th to 20th spots.
Morocco’s Grand Stade Hassan II set to become world’s largest football stadium by 2027
Construction of the Grand Stade Hassan II, a 115,000-capacity stadium in Casablanca, is on track to be completed by 2027, three years ahead of its role as a host venue for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Once finished, it will claim the title of the largest football stadium in the world. The Grand Stade Hassan II will serve as the centrepiece of Morocco’s 2030 World Cup hosting duties, which the nation will share with Spain and Portugal. Its design is inspired by the Moroccan Moussem, a traditional social gathering and will feature a striking tented roof structure.
The stadium’s design includes three steep and compact tiers at each end of the bowl, accommodating 29,500 fans per side. Along the main stands, five levels of hospitality will provide premium seating and amenities for up to 12,000 guests.
