European football is experiencing a quiet but increasingly visible tension. While major competitions continue to expand their commercial value, discontent is also growing among clubs that remain outside this privileged circle. In this context, the Union of European Clubs has emerged as the voice of a “middle class” seeking to reshape the economic balance driven by UEFA.

The focus is on how revenue is distributed from competitions such as the Champions League, the Europa League, and the Conference League. In a landscape where the business exceeds €4.4 billion, the debate is no longer just about figures, but about the model that determines who grows, who competes, and who is left behind within the European football ecosystem.

A multimillion redistribution to strengthen domestic leagues

Currently, more than €3 billion is distributed by UEFA among participating clubs, but only €308 million reaches those not competing in continental tournaments. This mechanism, known as solidarity payments, is the starting point of the UEC’s proposal, which aims to increase that figure to €2 billion and extend it to clubs in both first and second divisions.

The redesign also proposes changes in how revenue is split among competitions. Today, the Champions League accounts for 74% of the total, while the Europa League receives 17% and the Conference League 9%. The new formula suggests a 50%-30%-20% distribution, narrowing the gap between competitions and enabling a more balanced allocation. Even so, clubs participating in Europe would retain their performance-based earnings, which for the 2025–2026 cycle amount to around €1.3 billion.

The “value pillar” and the clash with elite clubs

At the heart of the conflict lies the so-called “value pillar”, a component that represents around 35% of the distribution and primarily benefits the most powerful clubs. This system combines historical performance with the television market value of each country, reinforcing a structure in which clubs from Europe’s Big Five leagues secure significantly higher revenues.

For the UEC, removing this mechanism is key to reducing structural inequality. Examples such as the Eredivisie illustrate the potential impact: clubs outside European competitions could multiply their income, while participating teams would see significant—though manageable—reductions. In this context, the debate shifts from economics to competitiveness, questioning a model that, according to mid-tier clubs, risks making European football predictable and limiting growth opportunities for the majority.