Fifa Comparative Analysis of Second and Third Divisions

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
OF SECOND AND THIRD DIVISIONS

FOREWORD
When we talk about professional football, most people automatically

think of the elite competitions: top leagues, continental club
competitions and the FIFA Club World CupTM. But they are only the
tip of the iceberg and, while these competitions rightly command large
international TV audiences and attract significant financial investment, there is a
much larger ecosystem out there.
This Comparative Analysis of Second and Third Divisions is a landmark study of

how second- and third-tier competitions and the participating clubs are run. From
competition format and the number of spots on each league table to naming and
broadcast rights and the existence of a solidarity mechanism, this snapshot of each
of these competitions builds up a picture of worldwide trends in football away
from the big money of the top leagues.
For readers’ ease of reference, please note that the featured countries have been
organised in alphabetical order, starting with Argentina and ending with Wales.
Wherever financial values have been applied, the currencies have been converted
to US dollars, in order to ensure uniformity across the report. Given the volatility of
the foreign exchange market as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, these
figures should be considered approximations. As a final note, the member
associations selected for this comparative analysis were the top 25 in the
FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking at 9 April 2020, which was the starting
FIFA COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SECOND AND THIRD DIVISIONS
month of this endeavour. Needless to say, the placing that appears on the
information page for each country reflects that applicable at the time of
publication, in accordance with the 7 April 2021 update to the ranking.
We hope that the visualisation of data and the accompanying analysis in this study
will help readers build their understanding of the state of professional football
today and provide inspiration for the further development of second-and third-tier
competitions throughout FIFA’s 211 member associations.
Emilio García Silvero Ornella Desirée Bellia

Chief Legal & Compliance Officer Head of Professional Football
CONTENTS
COUNTRY-SPECIFIC INSIGHTS ........................................................................ 21
Argentina .............................................................................................................. 22
Belgium .............................................................................................................. 24
Brazil .............................................................................................................. 25
Chile .............................................................................................................. 26
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 3
Colombia .............................................................................................................. 27
Croatia .............................................................................................................. 28
FIFA/COCA-COLA WORLD RANKING ........................................................... 4 Denmark .............................................................................................................. 29
England .............................................................................................................. 30
France .............................................................................................................. 31
FINDINGS: VISUAL SUMMARY........................................................................ 5
Germany .............................................................................................................. 32
Competition status ................................................................................. 6 Italy .............................................................................................................. 33
Competition organiser ................................................................................. 7 Mexico .............................................................................................................. 34
Number of teams ................................................................................. 8 Netherlands .............................................................................................................. 35
Promotion & relegation berths ................................................................................. 9 Peru .............................................................................................................. 36

Promotion berths ................................................................................10 Poland .............................................................................................................. 37
Relegation berths ................................................................................11 Portugal .............................................................................................................. 38
Competition formats ................................................................................12 Senegal .............................................................................................................. 39
Naming rights ................................................................................13 Spain .............................................................................................................. 40
TV rights ................................................................................15 Sweden .............................................................................................................. 41
Solidarity mechanism ................................................................................18 Switzerland .............................................................................................................. 42
Average revenue structure of Ukraine .............................................................................................................. 43

competition organiser ................................................................................19
Uruguay .............................................................................................................. 44
Average cost structure of
competition organiser ................................................................................20 USA .............................................................................................................. 45
Venezuela .............................................................................................................. 46
Wales .............................................................................................................. 47
INTRODUCTION
This report provides a snapshot of the state of professional football* in a range of very diverse territories: from the ever-booming domestic market of Brazil,
where passionate fans will gladly watch football at every level, to England, where famous clubs with strong local traditions play in each tier of the Football
League and attract interest at home and abroad.
Among the more immediate findings are that a clear majority of competitions are played across two years (e.g. August to May) and that the number of participating clubs
in third divisions is significantly higher (almost double on average) than it is in second divisions. Meanwhile, the most popular competition format is a home-and-away
league structure followed by play-offs to determine the champions and promotion spots. It is also interesting to note that Argentina and Wales have two separate
tournaments within their third divisions.
Competition organisers of second divisions tend to be leagues (52%), while the majority of third divisions (73%) are run by the national association. A hybrid set-up exists
among second divisions, whereby the national association organises the competition and assigns all marketing rights to a league.
In terms of sales, second-tier competitions fare better than third in assigning broadcast rights, with 79% of
second divisions having national deals and 52% selling rights internationally. Third divisions, perhaps naturally,
also have significantly stronger domestic rights sales (58%) than abroad – just 15% of those competitions sell
international broadcast rights, and there are only four countries (England, Sweden, Uruguay and the USA)
whose second and third divisions sell rights both nationally and internationally.
Still within the broadcast rights realm, there are three scenarios that can take place: 1) rights are only sold
nationally, 2) rights are sold nationally and internationally, 3) rights are not sold nationally or internationally. In
this sense, the breakdown for the second division is, respectively, 25%, 54%, and 21%, whereas in the third
division it is 42%, 16%, and 42%.
There is also a greater appetite among sponsors to pick up the naming rights to second divisions (56%) than to
third divisions (19%), and they are most likely to come from the betting sector.
In this context, it is interesting that 64% and 46% of second and third divisions, respectively, have solidarity
mechanisms for participating clubs.
Perhaps the largest disparity is in the average revenue per club, with second-tier clubs bringing in USD 8.5
million and those in the third tier earning USD 1.8 million, representing a drop of 79%.
Thanks to the visual representation of the data behind each key performance indicator, readers can more easily
see the differences between the second and third tiers in each country, as well as between nations.
* The information in this report is based on the planned formats for the respective competitions in 2020 and/or 2021, as provided and confirmed by the respective competition organisers. However, changes may have been made on
the ground as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the formats may also vary in future seasons.
3
FOREWORD CONTENTS INTRODUCTION FIFA RANKING FINDINGS: VISUAL SUMMARY COUNTRY-SPECIFIC INSIGHTS
FIFA/COCA-COLA WORLD RANKING
9 April 2020 7 April 2021
RANK TEAM TOTAL POINTS RANK TEAM TOTAL POINTS

1 Belgium 1765 1 Belgium 1783
2 France 1733 2 France 1757
3 Brazil 1712 3 Brazil 1743
4 England 1661 4 England 1687
5 Uruguay 1645 5 Portugal 1666
6 Croatia 1642 6 Spain 1648
7 Portugal 1639 7 Italy 1642
8 Spain 1636 8 Argentina 1642
9 Argentina 1623 9 Uruguay 1639
10 Colombia 1622 10 Denmark 1632
11 Mexico 1621 11 Mexico 1630
12 Switzerland 1608 12 Germany 1609
13 1607
Italy 13 Switzerland 1606
14 Netherlands 1604 14 Croatia 1606
15 Germany 1602 15 Colombia 1601
16 Denmark 1598 16 Netherlands 1598
17 Chile 1579 17 Wales 1570
17 Sweden 1579 18 Sweden 1570
19 Poland 1559 19 Chile 1570
20 Senegal 1555 20 USA 1555
21 Peru 1544 21 Poland 1550
22 USA 1542 22 Senegal 1542
23 Wales 1540 24 Ukraine 1516
24 Ukraine 1537 27 Peru 1512
25 Venezuela 1517 30 Venezuela 1501
4
FINDINGS: VISUAL SUMMARY

COMPETITION STATUS
Second division
Second division
Professional
Semi-professional
Amateur
l na zil ile ia y y ly s l s
ga xic
o
US
A ru ua ela um tia rk nd nc
e
an Ita nd lan
d ga ain en nd ne ale
ne Me nti Bra Ch mb Pe ug zu lgi oa ma gla Fra rm rla Po rtu Sp ed rla rai
Se ge lo Ur ne Be Cr De
n En Ge e Po Sw itz
e Uk W
Ar Co Ve eth Sw
N
Third division
Third division
Professional
Semi-professional
Amateur
l B" A" zil ile ia y y ly s l

ga xic
o
US
A
mb
ru ua ela um tia rk nd nc
e
an Ita nd lan
d ga ain en an
d
rai
ne rth uth
ne Me n" l" Bra Ch Pe ug zu lgi oa ma gla Fra rm rla Po rtu Sp ed erl No So
Se ió de
ra lo Ur ne Be Cr De
n En Ge e Po Sw tz Uk s s
ivis e Co Ve eth wi g ue gue
ra
D oF N S ea ea
me rne lL lL
Pri To da da
Ar Ar
6
COMPETITION ORGANISER
Second division
League
National
association
al ico A
tin
a zil ile bia ru ua
y la um tia ark nd nc
e
an
y ly nd
s nd ga
l
in* en** rland raine ale
s
eg x US Bra Ch Pe ue i oa la Ita la u a
Se
n Me rge
n
olo
m
U rug ne
z
Belg Cr en
m
Eng Fra erm erl
a Po Port Sp ed itz
e Uk W
A C Ve D G th Sw
Ne Sw
* LaLiga is a member of the RFEF. As such, the competition is organised by LaLiga in coordination with the RFEF. ** Hybrid model.
Third division
League
National
association
al o A B" A" razil hile ia ru ua

y ela ium atia ark and ance any ly s d al in den and ne orth th
eg xic US n " ral " mb Pe ug nezu Belg Cro enm Engl Ita rland olan rtug Spa e rl rai ou
Se
n Me is i ó
de
B C l o r Fr
Ge
rm e P o S w z e U k s N
es
S
Div o Fe Co U Ve D th P it e
gu agu
a Ne Sw ea e
r e L L
me Torn da
l
da
l
7 Pri Ar Ar
NUMBER OF TEAMS
Second division
35
32 32
19
24
21 22
20 18 20 18 20 20 18 18
16 16 16 16 16
14
12 12
10 10
8
al ico A
tin
a zil ile bia ru ua
e
an
y ly nd
s nd ga
l
ain en land aine ale
s
eg x US Bra Ch Pe ue i oa la Ita la u Sp d
Se
n Me rge
n
olo
m
U rug ne
z
B elg Cr en
m
Eng Fra erm erl
a Po P ort Swe itz
e r
U k r W
A C Ve D G th
Ne Sw
102
Third division 80
72
60
50
33 48
42
32 32 32
30
24
26
24
20 20
18 18 19
17 16 18 16
12 12 12
al o A " " zil ile bia ru y la ium roati

a rk nd ance y ly ds d al ain n nd aine h h
eg xic US n "B al "A Bra Ch m Pe ug
ua ue ma ngla an Ita an lan ug Sp e de rla r ort Sout
Se
n Me is i ó
de
r olo Ur ne
z
Be
lg C De
n E F r e r m
the
rl Po Po
rt Sw itz
e U k
e s N
e s
Div o Fe C Ve G
Ne Sw gu agu
r a e L ea L e
me Torn da
l
da
l
8 Pri Ar Ar
PROMOTION AND RELEGATION BERTHS – OVERVIEW
Second division
44 4 4 4
Promotion
3 3 3 33 33 33 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Relegation
22 22 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
1 11 1 1 1
l a zil ile y y ly s l s
ga ico US
A
tin bia ru ua ue
la um tia ark nd ce an Ita nd nd ga ain en nd
rai
ne ale
en
e
Me
x n Bra Ch m Pe
rug z elg
i
Cr
oa m ng
la
Fra
n
erm erl
a Po
la
ort
u Sp ed rla W
S rge olo U ne B en E th P Sw itz
e Uk
A C Ve D G
Ne Sw
26
20
Third division
9
8
5 6 6
Promotion
Relegation
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
3 3 3 3 33 3 3
2 2 2 2 2 2 22 2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
l " " zil ile y y ly ds al

ga xic
o A
US n "B al "A bia ru ua ela ium roati
a ark an
d
nc
e
an Ita lan
d
ug ain en land aine rth uth
ne Me Bra Ch m Pe ug zu lg nm Engl Fra rm rl an Po rt Sp ed r k r No s So
Se is i ó
d e r olo Ur Ve
ne Be C D e G e the Po Sw it z e U ue
s
ue
Div o Fe C
Ne Sw ag ag
e ra n e l Le l Le
m r da da
9 Pri To Ar Ar
PROMOTION BERTHS
Second division 4
Direct 3
Indirect
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
al ico A
tin
a zil ile bia ru ua
e
an
y ly nd
s nd ga
l
ain en an
d ne ale
s
eg x US Bra Ch Pe ue i oa la Ita la u Sp ed erl rai
Se
n Me rge
n
olo
m
Urug ne
z
B elg Cr en
m
Eng Fra erm erl
a Po P ort Sw tz Uk W
A C Ve D G
N eth Swi
Third division
4 4 4
Direct
Indirect
3
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
l B" zil l
ga xic
o
US
A A" ile
mb
ia ru ua
y ela um tia ark an
d
nc
e
an
y
Ita
ly ds lan
d ga ain en nd
rai
ne rth uth
ne Me n " ral " Bra Ch Pe ug zu lgi Cr
oa nm Engl Fra rm rlan Po rtu Sp ed rla No s So
Se i ó
Co
lo Ur ne Be e e the Po Sw itz
e Uk s
is de Ve D G ue ue
Div o Fe Ne Sw ag ag
e ra e l Le l Le
m rn da da
10 Pri To Ar Ar
RELEGATION BERTHS
Second division
4
Direct
Indirect 2 3 3 4
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
l a zil ile y y ly s l s
ga ico US
A
tin bia ru ua ue
la um tia ark nd nc
e
an Ita nd nd ga ain en nd
rai
ne ale
en
e
Me
x n Bra Ch m Pe
rug z elg
i
Cr
oa m ng
la
Fra erm erl
a Po
la
ort
u Sp ed rla W
S rge olo U ne B en E P Sw itz
e Uk
A C Ve D G
Neth Sw
Third division 26
20
6 6 6 6
Direct
Indirect 5
4 4 4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2 2 2 2
1 1 1 11
l B" A" zil ile y y ly ds al en land aine

ga xic
o
US
A bia ru ua ela ium roati
a ark an
d
nc
e
an Ita lan
d
ug ain rth uth
ne Me n" a l" Bra Ch m Pe ug zu lg nm Engl Fra rm rlan Po rt Sp ed e r k r No s So
Se is i ó
d e r olo Ur Ve
ne Be C D e G e the Po Sw it z U ue
s
ue
Div o Fe C
Ne Sw ag ag
e ra n e l Le l Le
m r da da
11 Pri To Ar Ar
COMPETITION FORMATS
Second division Third division
Home and away

Home and away + play-offs
Home and away + play-offs + mini-league
Home and away + mini-league
Single round robin + play-offs
48% 53%
Single round robin + mini-league + play-offs
8%
Double home and away + play-offs 4% 4%
4%
8%
8%
Country breakdown Country breakdown 8%
% %
1 0
8%
1 0
1 2
2 2
2
24% 2
23%
6 6
12 14
12
NAMING RIGHTS – OVERVIEW
Second division
Sold
Not sold
al o A a zil ile bia ru ua

y la ium tia rk nd nc
e y ly ds d al ain n nd ine ale
s
eg xic US tin Bra Ch Pe ue oa ma ngla an Ita an lan ug Sp de rla ra
Se
n Me rge
n
olo
m
Ur
ug ne
z
Be
lg Cr n Fra erm rl Po rt Sw
e e Uk W
A C Ve De E G the Po itz
Ne Sw
Third division
Sold
Not sold
l B" A" zil ile y y ly ds al

ga xic
o
US
A bia ru ua ela ium roati
a ark an
d
nc
e
an Ita lan
d
ug ain de
n nd aine ort
h th
ne Me n " ral " Bra Ch m Pe ug zu lg nm Engl Fra erm rlan Po rt Sp e rla r ou
Se is i ó
de olo Ur ne Be C e the Po Sw itz
e Uk ues N es S
Div o Fe C Ve D G
Ne Sw g gu
ra ea ea
m e rn e
a lL a lL
13 Pri To Ar
d
Ar
d
NAMING RIGHTS – INDUSTRIES FROM WHICH SPONSORS ARE DRAWN
Second division
Count
%
4 29% 2 14% 0% 0% 1 7% 1 7% 2 14% 1 7% 1 7% 1 7% 1 7% 0%
Betting Banking Storage Floodlight and Cryptocurrency Telecommuni- Tyre E-commerce Retail Insurance Sports retail Food &
solutions electrical solutions cations manufacturing beverage
Third division
Count
%
1 20% 0% 1 20%
25% 1 20% 0% 1 20% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1 20%
Betting Banking Storage Floodlight and Cryptocurrency Telecommuni- Tyre E-commerce Retail Insurance Sports retail Food &
solutions electrical solutions cations manufacturing beverage
14
TV RIGHTS – OVERVIEW
National
Sold
Not sold
79% 58%
21%
19 5 15 11 42%
2 division
nd
3 division
rd
International
Sold
Not sold
52% 15%
85%
13 12 48% 4 22
2nd division 3rd division
15
NATIONAL TV RIGHTS
Second division
Sold
Not sold
al ico A
tin
a zil ile bia ru ua
y la ium tia ark d
nc
e
an
y ly nd
s d al* ain de
n d ine ale
s
eg x US Bra Ch Pe ue oa lan Ita lan ug Sp rlan ra
Se
n Me rge
n
olo
m
Ur
ug ne
z
Be
lg Cr en
m
En
g Fra erm erl
a Po ort Sw
e
tze Uk W
A C Ve D G th P i
Ne Sw
* Not applicable because national TV rights are individually sold by clubs

Third division
Sold
Not sold
al o A B" A" zil ile bia ru y la ium roati

a ark d e y ly ds d al ain n nd ne h h
eg xic US n" l" Bra Ch Pe ua ue an nc an Ita an lan ug de rla rai ort Sout
Se
n Me i ó r a olo
m
Ur
ug ne
z
Be
lg nm Engl Fra erm rl Po rt Sp
Sw
e e k N
is de Ve
C D e G the Po itz U e s
ue
s
Div o Fe C
Ne Sw ea
gu ag
e ra e l L l L e
m rn da da
16 Pri To Ar Ar
INTERNATIONAL TV RIGHTS
Second division
Sold
Not sold
al ico A
tin
a zil ile bia ru ua
y la ium tia ark d
nc
e
an
y ly nd
s d ga
l
ain de
n d ine ale
s
eg x US Bra Ch Pe ue oa lan Ita lan u Sp rlan ra
Se
n Me rge
n
olo
m
Ur
ug ne
z
Be
lg Cr en
m
En
g Fra erm erl
a Po Port Sw
e
tze Uk W
A C Ve D G th i
Ne Sw
Third division
Sold
Not sold
al o A B" A" zil ile bia ru y la ium roati

a ark d e y ly ds d al ain n nd ne h h
eg xic US n" l" Bra Ch Pe ua ue an nc an Ita an lan ug de rla rai ort Sout
Se
n Me i ó r a olo
m
Ur
ug ne
z
Be
lg nm Engl Fra erm rl Po rt Sp
Sw
e e k N
is de Ve
C D e G the Po itz U e s
ue
s
Div o Fe C
Ne Sw ea
gu ag
e ra e l L l L e
m rn da da
17 Pri To Ar Ar
SOLIDARITY MECHANISM
Second division
Second division
Yes
No
al ico A
tin
a zil ile bia ru ua
y la ium tia ark nd nc
e
an
y ly nd
s d ga
l
ain en d ne ale
s
eg x US Bra Ch Pe ue oa la Ita lan u Sp ed erl
an rai
Se
n Me rge
n
olo
m
U rug ne
z
Be
lg Cr en
m
Eng Fra erm erl
a Po Port Sw tz Uk W
A C Ve D G
N eth S wi
Third division
Third division
Yes
No
l B" A" zil ile ia y y ly s l

ga xic
o
US
A
mb
ru ua ela um tia rk nd nc
e
an Ita nd lan
d ga ain en nd
rai
ne rth th
ne Me n" l" Bra Ch Pe ug zu lgi oa ma gla Fra rm rla Po rtu Sp ed rla No ou
Se ió de
ra lo Ur ne Be Cr De
n En Ge e Po Sw itz
e Uk s es
S
ivis e Co Ve eth Sw ag
ue u
ra
D oF N
Le ag
rne Le
me da
l
da
l
Pri To Ar Ar
18
AVERAGE REVENUE STRUCTURE OF COMPETITION ORGANISERS
TV rights
Sponsorship & commercial
Other
Club membership, licences and registration fees
29%
Grants & subsidies
Ticketing & matchday 35%
Financial
2%
9%
5% 3%
11%
10% 25%
11%
11%
15%
20%
14%
19
AVERAGE COST STRUCTURE OF COMPETITION ORGANISERS
Payroll, personnel & administrative

Operational & matchday
Refereeing
35% 36%
Other
Club grants & contributions
14% 7%
9%
15%
13%
17%
19% 35%
20
COUNTRY-SPECIFIC INSIGHTS

Member association Abbreviation FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking
Argentinian Football AFA 8

ARGENTINA
CONMEBOL
Association
Second division
Name of competition Status Professional Organiser:

Semi-professional National association
Primera Nacional
Amateur
32
Calendar Single-year
Number of clubs
Dual-year
Simplified Explanation
Regular season with two groups of 16: winners of each group advance to
Competition format Single round robin two-legged championship play-off for promotion, bottom team from each are
relegated. Championship play-off losers get second shot at promotion in mini-tour-
+ play-offs nament featuring teams ranked second to fourth from each group
Promotion 0 2 2
Direct Indirect Total
Relegation 2 0 2
Yes Amount Sponsor's name Industry

Naming rights SPONSOR
N/A N/A N/A

No
Yes No Amount Origin

Solidarity
There is a mechanism in place USD 7,900,883 National association
Sold nationally Sold internationally Average club revenue

TV rights Yes No Yes No USD 375,096
USD 3,192,276 USD 925,752
31% 29% 27% 13%

Competition organiser’s
revenue structure breakdown
Solidarity from top-tier competition Ticketing TV rights Sponsorship & commercial
55% 20% 15% 10%

22 Competition organiser’s
cost structure breakdown
Administrative & payroll Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.) Other Refereeing
22
Argentinian Football AFA 8

ARGENTINA
CONMEBOL
Association
Third division Third division
Name of Status Organiser: Name of Status Organiser:

competition Professional competition Professional
Semi-professional National association Semi-professional National association
Primera División "B" Amateur Torneo Federal "A" Amateur
18 30
Number Calendar Single-year Number Calendar Single-year
of clubs Dual-year of clubs Dual-year
Regular season with two groups of 15: top six from each group advance
Simplified Explanation At end of regular season, winners of Apertura and Simplified Explanation to championship stage, bottom team from each group relegated. In
Competition Clausura contest two-legged promotion play-off. Play-off Competition championship stage, top six per group contest single round-robin
Single round robin losers join six other top teams from yearly aggregate table Home and away tournaments, with both winners promoted.
format + play-offs in mini-tournament for second promotion spot. Bottom format + mini-league *Fifth promotion berth goes to winners of play-off between third-placed
team from aggregate table automatically relegated teams from Primera División "B" and Torneo Federal “A”, based on
respective aggregate tables
Promotion 0 2 2 Promotion 0 2 2
Direct Indirect Total Direct Indirect Total
Relegation 1 0 1 Relegation 2 0 2
Yes Amount Yes

Naming Taken from the 12% of TV SPONSOR Sponsor's name Industry Naming Amount SPONSOR Sponsor's name Industry
rights Rights that goes back to AFA,
TeleRed e Imagen Television and rights N/A N/A N/A
No so exact amount is unknown
internet provider No
Yes No Amount Origin Yes No Amount Origin

Solidarity Solidarity
There is a mechanism in place USD 1,354,332 National association There is a mechanism in place USD 1,848,264 National association
Sold nationally Sold internationally Average club revenue Sold nationally Sold internationally Average club revenue
TV TV
rights Yes No rights
Yes No USD 159,336 Yes No Yes No USD 63,732
USD 1,593,324
Competition organiser’s revenue structure breakdown Competition organiser’s revenue structure breakdown
30% 28% 22% 20%
Information not available
TV rights Sponsorship & commercial Other Ticketing
Competition organiser’s cost structure breakdown Competition organiser’s cost structure breakdown
40% 35% 15% 10%
Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.) Administrative & payroll Other Refereeing
23
Belgian Football Association KBVB 1

BELGIUM

Belgian First Belgian First
Division B Amateur Amateur Division Amateur
8 16
Team with most points during each half of regular season (first
Simplified Explanation and second 14 games) are crowned period champions and Simplified Explanation Top four teams from regular season contest promotion
qualify for promotion play-off. Teams that finish seventh and mini-league, where they start with 50% of their previous
Competition Home and away Competition Home and away points tally. Winners of mini-league are promoted. Worst three
format eighth in aggregate table have relegation play-off series format
(x2) + play-offs consisting of up to five matches: seventh-placed team start + mini-league teams (ranked 14th to 16th) from regular season are relegated;
with three-point lead 13th-placed side face team from fourth division in play-off
Yes Amount Sponsor's name Industry Yes Amount Sponsor's name Industry
Naming SPONSOR Naming SPONSOR
rights USD 235,691 Proximus Telecommunications rights N/A N/A N/A
No No

There is a mechanism in place USD 883,841 Top-tier competition There is no mechanism in place N/A N/A
TV TV
rights Yes No Yes No rights
USD 6,127,966 Yes No Yes No N/A
USD 942,764 USD 235,691
42% 32% 16% 8% 2%
No significant sources of revenue can be reported

Recouped refereeing costs Ticketing Taxes Fines Other
57% 23% 10% 10%
No significant sources of costs can be reported
Administrative & payroll Other Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.) Refereeing
24
Brazilian Football Association CBF 3

BRAZIL
CONMEBOL

Campeonato Campeonato
Brasileiro Série B Amateur Brasileiro Série C Amateur
20 20
Simplified Explanation Simplified Explanation Regular season features two regional groups of ten teams to avoid
clubs from distant states having to play each other. Bottom two
Competition Regular season with traditional home-and-away format: top Competition teams from each group are relegated. Top four per group advance to
four teams are promoted to Série A and bottom four are Home and away
format Home and away format second stage, where they are divided evenly into two groups
relegated to Série C + mini-league regardless of location; winners and runners-up from those groups
are promoted to Série B
rights N/A N/A N/A rights N/A N/A N/A
No No

Solidarity Travel/hotel costs for all clubs Solidarity
Travel/hotel costs for all clubs
There is a mechanism in place during the competitions National association There is a mechanism in place National association
during the competitions
TV TV
rights Yes No Yes No rights Yes No
USD 5,000,000 Yes No USD 1,500,000
USD 32,200,000 USD 2,000,000 USD 1,000,000
The operational revenues of Série A, B, C and D (first division to fourth division) The operational revenues of Série A, B, C and D (first division to fourth division)
are bundled together. No specific split per division is possible are bundled together. No specific split per division is possible
The operational costs of Série A, B, C and D (first division to fourth division) The operational costs of Série A, B, C and D (first division to fourth division)
are bundled together. No specific split per division is possible are bundled together. No specific split per division is possible
25
Chilean Football Association FFCH 19

CHILE
CONMEBOL

Campeonato Segunda División
Primera B Amateur Amateur
16 12
Simplified Explanation Simplified Explanation After regular season, teams are split evenly into two
Traditional home-and-away regular season, in which two mini-leagues: one for promotion and one for relegation, both
Competition Competition Home and away also played with a home-and-away format. Winners of
best teams are promoted to top tier and bottom team are
format Home and away
relegated format + mini-league promotion mini-league go up to second division, whereas
bottom two teams of relegation mini-league drop down a tier
rights USD 150,000 JUEGAENLINEA* Betting rights N/A N/A N/A
No No

There is no mechanism in place N/A National association There is no mechanism in place N/A National association
TV TV
rights Yes No rights Yes No
Yes No USD 2,000,000 Yes No USD 200,000
USD 21,000,00 USD 60,000
99% 1% 100%
TV rights Sponsorship & commercial TV rights
60% 20% 20%
55% 30% 15%
Administrative & payroll Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.) Other
Administrative & payroll Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.) Other
* The sponsor is set to change for this upcoming season, but it hasn’t been secured until now.
26
Colombian Football Association FCF 15

COLOMBIA
CONMEBOL
Third division: will be relaunched in 2021, following an announcement made on 12 April 2021.
Second division Since no specific details have been confirmed, the fields for this tier have not been completed.

competition Professional League competition Professional
Semi-professional Semi-professional N/A
Torneo BetPlay Dimayor Torneo Nacional
Dimayor Amateur Interclubes Primera C Amateur
16
Calendar Single-year Calendar Single-year
Number
of clubs Dual-year
Number
of clubs N/A Dual-year
Two tournaments a year with identical format. For each tournament, top
Simplified Explanation eight teams in regular season qualify for championship stage, comprising Simplified Explanation
two mini-leagues followed by final between mini-league winners. At end
Competition Single round robin of year, winners of those two finals play grand final to determine overall Competition Not applicable
format + mini-leagues season champions and promotion to top tier. Grand-final losers have format N/A
second chance of promotion in two-legged play-off against best aggregate
+ play-offs team from regular seasons
Yes Amount Yes

Naming SPONSOR Sponsor's name Industry Naming Amount SPONSOR Sponsor's name Industry
One single contract for
rights the first tier, second tier, BetPlay Betting rights N/A N/A N/A
No and cup tournament No

There is no mechanism in place N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
TV Colombia has two types of clubs: A and B. TV
rights Yes No Type A clubs receive more money from TV rights
Yes No rights than type B clubs. The second division
Yes No Yes No N/A
Confidential has clubs belonging to both categories.
Confidential Not applicable
Confidential Not applicable
27
Croatian Football Federation HNS 14

CROATIA

Druga HNL Amateur Treća HNL Amateur
18 80
Regular season with five groups: three with 18 teams, one with 14 teams and one with
Simplified Explanation Simplified Explanation 12 teams. All groups except the one with 12 teams play standard home-and-away
After regular season, top team is promoted to first division format. Remaining group plays in triple round-robin format (home-away-home).
Competition and bottom three teams are relegated to Competition First-placed clubs from five groups qualify for knockout stage consisting of three phases
format Home and away third tier format Home and away and bottom team in each group are relegated. Preliminary phase: two teams are
selected randomly and face each other. Phase 2: winners of preliminary tie join
remaining three teams in semi-finals. Phase 3: winners advance to final for a chance of
promotion
No No

There is no mechanism in place N/A N/A There is no mechanism in place N/A N/A
TV TV
Yes No USD 646,611 Yes No Yes No USD 177,695
USD 23,569
90% 7% 2% 2% 73% 18% 5% 4%
Membership fees Fines Other Licensing fees Membership fees Fines Other Licensing fees
72% 26% 2% 93% 7%
Referees & match commissioners Competition administration Other Competition administration Other
28
Danish Football Association DBU 10

DENMARK

competition Professional League competition Professional League
Semi-professional Semi-professional
Divisionsforeningen Divisionsforeningen
Amateur 2. Division Amateur
12 12
Simplified Explanation After regular season, the 12 teams are split evenly into Simplified Explanation After regular season, the 12 teams are split evenly into
promotion and relegation mini-leagues. Both mini-leagues promotion and relegation mini-leagues. Both mini-leagues
Competition follow standard home-and-away format. Top two teams in Competition Home and away follow standard home-and-away format. Top two teams in
Home and away
format + mini-leagues promotion mini-league gain promotion and bottom two format + mini-leagues promotion mini-league gain promotion and bottom two teams
teams in relegation mini-league are relegated to third tier in relegation mini-league are relegated to fourth tier
No No

There is a mechanism in place 15% of total TV revenue Top-tier competition There is a mechanism in place 2% of total TV revenue Top-tier competition
TV TV
rights Yes No Yes No USD 3,535,365 rights Yes No Yes No USD 888,473
50% 25% 15% 10% 40% 30% 20% 10%
TV rights Sponsorship & commercial Financial Other Sponsorship & commercial TV rights Financial Other
40% 40% 10% 10% 40% 40% 10% 10%
Administrative & payroll Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.) Other Refereeing Administrative & payroll Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.) Other Refereeing
29
The Football Association The FA 4

ENGLAND

Semi-professional Semi-professional
EFL Championship English Football League (EFL) EFL League One English Football League (EFL)
Amateur Amateur
24 24
Simplified Explanation Traditional home-and-away season, with top two clubs being Simplified Explanation Traditional home-and-away season, with top two clubs being
promoted to Premier League and bottom three teams relegated to promoted to EFL Championship and bottom four clubs relegated to
Competition third tier. Third- to sixth-ranked teams contest home-and-away Competition Home and
fourth division. Third- to sixth-ranked teams contest
Home and play-off ties (3rd v. 6th and 4th v. 5th), winners of which go through to home-and-away play-off ties (3rd v. 6th and 4th v. 5th), winners of
format away + play-offs final, played at neutral venue (Wembley Stadium). Winners of final
format away + play-offs which go through to final, played at neutral venue (Wembley
are also promoted Stadium). Winners of final are also promoted
Yes Amount Yes Amount

Naming SPONSOR Sponsor's name Industry Naming SPONSOR Sponsor's name Industry
USD 9,300,000 USD 9,300,000
rights Sky Bet Betting rights Sky Bet Betting
No shared across No shared across
the 3 EFL divisions the 3 EFL divisions

There is a mechanism in place USD 101,015,258 Top-tier competition There is a mechanism in place USD 21,389,232 Second division
TV Yes No Yes No TV Yes No Yes No
rights USD 150,000,000 USD 32,000,000 USD 42,253,308
rights USD 150,000,000 USD 32,000,000 USD 7,922,739
shared across the 3 EFL divisions shared across the 3 EFL divisions shared across the 3 EFL divisions shared across the 3 EFL divisions
Competition organiser’s revenue structure breakdown* Competition organiser’s revenue structure breakdown*
80% 14% 3% 3% 80% 14% 3% 3%
TV rights Sponsorship & commercial Ticket levies Contributions & other TV rights Sponsorship & commercial Ticket levies Contributions & other
Competition organiser’s cost structure breakdown* Competition organiser’s cost structure breakdown*
70% 12% 10% 8% 70% 12% 10% 8%
Club distributions Overheads and salary Direct costs from sponsorship and broadcasting Distributions to other associations and their clubs Club distributions Overheads and salary Direct costs from sponsorship and broadcasting Distributions to other associations and their clubs
* These percentages refer to the EFL’s structure as a whole. A breakdown by division is not possible. * These percentages refer to the EFL’s structure as a whole. A breakdown by division is not possible.
30
French Football Association FFF 2

FRANCE
Name of Status Organiser: League Name of Status Organiser:

Semi-professional Ligue de Football Professionnel Semi-professional National association
Ligue 2 Championnat
Amateur (LFP) Amateur
National
20 18
Simplified Explanation After regular season, top two teams are promoted to first Simplified Explanation
division (Ligue 1). Third-placed team contest promotion After regular season, top two teams are promoted to Ligue
Competition play-off (two-legged format) against 18th-placed team from Competition Home and away 2. Third-placed team contest play-off against 18th-placed
Home and away Ligue 1. Bottom two are relegated, whereas 18th-placed
format + play-offs
format + play-offs team from Ligue 2. Bottom four teams drop into fourth tier
team take on third-placed team from third tier in
two-legged play-off
rights USD 1,531,992 Balkrishna Industries Tyre manufacturing rights N/A N/A N/A
No No
Limited (BKT)

There is a mechanism in place USD 111,953,225 Top-tier competition There is no mechanism in place N/A N/A
TV TV
rights Yes No rights Yes No
Yes No USD 12,963,005 Yes No USD 3,790,816
USD 25,926,010 USD 710,778
85% 13% 2% 74% 25% 1%
TV rights Sponsorship & commercial Club participation fees TV rights Club participation fees Other
44% 35% 12% 9% 65% 17% 11% 5% 2%
Administrative (share of personnel, buildings, etc.) Refereeing Taxes Matchday organisation Club grants Refereeing TV production Matchday organisation & delegate fees Other
31
German Football Association DFB 12

GERMANY

Semi-professional Semi-professional National association
2. Bundesliga Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) 3. Liga
Amateur Amateur
18 12
Simplified Explanation After regular season, top two teams are promoted and bottom Simplified Explanation Regular season with traditional home-and-away format: top
two are relegated. Third-placed team contest a play-off (home two teams are promoted to second division and bottom four
Competition Home and away and away) against 16th-placed team from top flight. Additionally, Competition Home and away are relegated to regional fourth tier. Additionally, third-placed
format + play-offs 16th-ranked team from second tier face third-placed team from format + play-offs team play two-legged promotion play-off against 16th-ranked
third division in play-off (home and away) team from second tier
No No
Origin
Yes No Amount Yes No Amount Origin
Solidarity Through media rights distribution
and forwarding of solidarity
Solidarity
There is a mechanism in place Significant payments from UEFA club There is no mechanism in place N/A N/A
competitions
TV Yes No Yes No TV
rights rights Yes No
Approximately 20% of centrally
2. Bundesliga rights are bundled into USD 51,192,085 Yes No USD 11,846,300
overall rights package (together with USD 18,954,080
negotiated media rights rights for Bundesliga) per territory
32% 20% 17% 14% 12% 5% 46% 42% 12%
TV rights Advertising Matchday revenue Other Transfers Merchandising Ticketing TV rights Sponsorship & commercial
31% 25% 18% 12% 8% 6%
85% 10% 5%
Payroll costs for match operations Other Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.) Transfers
Commercial/administrative staff Youth/amateurs/academies Administrative & payroll Refereeing Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.)
32
Italian Football Association FIGC 7

ITALY

Semi-professional Lega Nazionale Professionisti Semi-professional Lega Italiana Calcio
Serie BKT Serie B (LNPB) Campionato Professionistico
Amateur Serie C Amateur
20 60
Simplified Explanation After regular season, top two are promoted to Serie A. Third- Simplified Explanation Regular season featuring three groups of 20 teams, split along geographical
to eighth-placed teams advance to play-off tournament lines. Three group winners are promoted and bottom team per group are
Competition (preliminary round, semi-finals and final) played in Competition Home and away
relegated. Second- to tenth-placed teams in each group and Coppa Italia Serie
Home and away two-legged format (except preliminary round). Bottom three C champions (total 28 teams) qualify for promotion play-offs, contested in
format format + play-offs knockout format across several stages, with winners promoted. 16th- to
+ play-offs are relegated, while 16th- and 17th-placed sides contest 19th-placed teams in each group face off in play-off ties (16th v. 19th, 17th v. 18th),
two-legged relegation showdown losers of which are relegated
rights USD 2,356,910 Balkrishna Industries Tyre manufacturing rights N/A N/A N/A
No No
Limited (BKT)
Yes Amount Origin Yes Amount Origin

No No
Solidarity 6% of media rights Solidarity 2% of media rights +
There is a mechanism in place Top-tier competition There is a mechanism in place variable amount (USD 6,515,465) Top-tier competition
(USD 94,785,168)
TV TV
USD 22,390,645 Yes No USD 68,709
USD 30,639,830 USD 824,919 USD 4,027,742
Competition organiser’s revenue structure breakdown* Competition organiser’s revenue structure breakdown
60% 23% 7% 6% 3% 1% 29% 27% 20% 8% 7% 5% 4%
Contributions (FIGC & Serie A) TV rights Sales & services TIM Cup Sponsorship & comercial Other Participation fees TV rights Ticketing Other Sponsorship & commercial Contributions Penalties
Competition organiser’s cost structure breakdown* Competition organiser’s cost structure breakdown
93% 5% 2% 34% 26% 19% 8% 5% 3% 3% 2%
Club & other distributions (i.e. advisors, event producers, etc.) Services Administrative & payroll
Administrative & payroll TV production Play-offs Other Purchases Depreciation & amortisation Rent & leasing
The percentage figures are averages of the last five sporting seasons.
33 Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.)
Mexican Football Association FMF 11

MEXICO
Concacaf

Liga BBVA Liga MX Liga Premier
Expansión MX Amateur Amateur
16 42
Simplified Explanation Two short tournaments per year (Apertura and Clausura) with Simplified Explanation League divided into two subcategories: Serie A and Serie B. Serie
identical format. Each tournament features regular season A consists of two groups with 15 and 12 teams respectively, with
Competition followed by play-offs: table-toppers enter at semi-final stage, Competition Home and away a home-and-away format. Top four in each group advance to
Single round second-placed side in quarter-finals, whereas teams in third to play-offs (quarter-finals, semis and final), winners of which are
format 12th position compete for a place in quarter-finals. Winners of
format + play-offs promoted. Team with worst coefficient of points to matches
robin + play-offs
play-offs are crowned season champions played – based on aggregate table – are reallocated to Serie B
rights USD 4,887,659 BBVA Banking rights N/A N/A N/A
No No

There is a mechanism in place USD 834,615 National association There is a mechanism in place USD 496,132 National association
TV TV
rights Yes No Yes No Information not available rights Yes No Yes No Information not available
54% 46% 100%
Club participation fees Sponsorship & commercial Club participation fees
63% 34% 3% 58% 25% 17%
Administrative & payroll Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.) Other Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.) Administrative & payroll Other
34
Dutch Football Association KNVB 16

NETHERLANDS

Keuke Kampioen Eerste Divisie
Divisie Amateur Amateur
20 18
After regular season, top two are promoted to top tier and no teams are
Simplified Explanation relegated. Season is divided into four periods, with champions crowned at Simplified Explanation Regular season with traditional home-and-away format and no promotion
to second tier. Of 18 clubs involved, 16 are considered "first" teams and
end of each. Four period champions and next two eligible teams in overall two are reserve teams. Only "first" teams can be relegated. At end of
Competition standings (who have neither been promoted nor won a period title) Competition Home and away season, lowest-placed of "first" teams are relegated to fourth division; 14th-
Home and away
format qualify for promotion play-offs. Play-offs consist of first round featuring format + play-offs and 15th-placed such teams enter relegation play-offs featuring six period
+ play-offs three ties (pairings based on ranking), followed by semi-finals (winners champions from fourth division. Play-off winners stay in (or get promoted
from first round and 16th-placed team from top tier) and final to) third division
rights USD 1,000,000 Keuken Kampioen Retail (furniture rights N/A N/A N/A
No sales and installations)
No

There is a mechanism in place Partly in combination Top-tier competition There is no mechanism in place N/A N/A
with TV rights
TV TV
rights Yes No Yes No rights
USD 589,228 Yes No Yes No N/A
USD 8,500,000 Confidential
43% 25% 14% 13% 5% 40% 22% 20% 10% 5% 2% 1%
Sponsorship & commercial Other Ticketing TV rights Financial Sponsorship Catering industry Contributions Other benefits Football-related Subsidies & gifts Prize money
77% 13% 10% 47% 14% 12% 10% 6% 6% 5%
Other Administrative & payroll Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.) Personnel Competition and training costs Housing costs Catering industry Overheads Cost of sales Depreciation
35
Peruvian Football Association FPF 27

PERU
CONMEBOL

Liga 2 Copa Perú
Amateur Amateur
10 50
After regular season, top team are promoted and bottom two teams National stage consists of five phases. Phase 1: each team face three
Simplified Explanation Simplified Explanation opponents (home and away) and 33rd- to 50th-ranked sides in overall table
are relegated. Second- to seventh-placed teams go into play-offs
are eliminated. Phases 2 to 4: one-legged knockout ties (1st v. 32nd, etc.) until
Competition (starting with quarter-finals); winners of subsequent semi-finals Competition Home and away + four teams remain. Phase 5: mini-league, winners are promoted to top flight,
Home and away qualify for final mini-league. That stage, played in single round robin,
format + play-offs also includes second- and third-placed teams from final phase of
format play-offs + mini-leagues with second- and third-placed teams joining second-tier opposition in final
mini-league. If third-division teams finish in top two of final mini-league, they
third tier. Top two teams in mini-league rise into first division leap into top flight; otherwise, they are simply promoted to second tier
No No

TV TV
rights Yes No rights Yes No Cannot be determined due to
Yes No USD 500,000 Yes No
USD 750,000 (No figure) heterogeneity of amateur clubs
88% 8% 4%

TV rights Other Ticketing
79% 16% 5% 95% 5%
Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.) Refereeing Administrative & payroll Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.) Administrative & payroll
36
Polish Football Association PZPN 21

POLAND

Fortuna 1 liga Amateur 2 liga Amateur
18 19
Simplified Explanation After regular season, top two teams are automatically Simplified Explanation After regular season, top two teams win automatic
promoted to top tier and bottom team are relegated to promotion to second tier and bottom three drop down into
Competition third division. Additionally, third- to sixth-ranked teams go Competition
Home and away Home and away fourth division. Additionally, third- to sixth-ranked teams go
format + play-offs into promotion play-offs, consisting of single-legged format + play-offs into promotion play-offs, consisting of single-legged
semi-finals followed by one-off final semi-finals followed by one-off final
rights USD 794,804 Fortuna Betting rights N/A N/A N/A
No No

TV TV
USD 1,690,467 Yes No Not available
USD 2,103,894 USD 40,909 USD 54,378
74% 26% 100%
TV rights Sponsorship & commercial TV rights
95% 5% 100%
Club distributions Administrative & payroll Club distributions

37
Portuguese Football FPF 5

PORTUGAL
Association

Liga Portugal Liga Portugal Campeonato
SABSEG Amateur de Portugal Amateur
18 72
Simplified Explanation Regular season with traditional home-and-away format: Simplified Explanation Regular season with 72 clubs divided into four groups of
top two teams are promoted to first division and bottom 18 teams according to geographical criteria. Top two teams
Competition two are relegated to third tier. The third-placed team go Competition in each group qualify for play-off series (quarter-finals,
Home and away Home and away
format into a play-off against the 16th-ranked club in the first format semi-finals and final): both finalists are promoted to second
+ play-offs + play-offs
division for a chance of promotion tier. Bottom five teams in each group are relegated
rights Confidential SABSEG Insurance rights N/A N/A N/A
No No

There is a mechanism in place USD 354,667 Top-tier competition There is no mechanism in place N/A N/A
TV TV
Yes No USD 1,558,233 Yes No Yes No USD 103,655
TV rights are not centralised in the league,
they remain the property of each club
55% 41% 3% 1%

Sponsorship & commercial Other (fines, players’ registration, agents) Ticketing TV rights
30% 28% 18% 14% 10%
Administrative & payroll (structure, services, etc.) Club distributions Refereeing Other Events
38
Senegalese Football FSF 22

SENEGAL
Association

Semi-professional Ligue Sénégalaise de Semi-professional National associaton
Ligue 2 (L2) Amateur Football Professionnel Nationale 1 (N1) Amateur
14 24
Simplified Explanation Simplified Explanation

Regular season with traditional home-and-away format. Regular season with two groups of 12 teams, with winners
Competition Champions and runners-up are promoted to Premier Competition Home and away of both groups being promoted to second division. They also
format Home and away League, while bottom two teams are relegated format contest single-legged final to determine season champions.
+ play-offs Bottom two teams in each group are relegated
No No

There is a mechanism in place Economic subsidies National association There is no mechanism in place N/A N/A
(amount not available)
TV TV
rights Yes No Yes No USD 90,000
rights Yes No Yes No N/A
61% 31% 8%

FSF grants Government subsidies Sponsorship & commercial
Competition organiser’s cost structure breakdown

54% 33% 6% 4% 3%
50% 50%
Debts Refereeing Administrative & payroll Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.) Other
* These percentages encompass the top-tier competition and the second division, and only apply for the 2019/20 season.
Refereeing Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.)
39
Spanish Football Association RFEF 6

SPAIN
Name of Status Organiser: League Name of Status Organiser:

LaLiga*
LaLiga SmartBank Segunda División B
Amateur Amateur
22 102
102 teams divided into five groups (I, II, III, IV and V), each further split into two
Simplified Explanation Simplified Explanation* subgroups (A or B) of 10-11 teams. Subgroups feature traditional home-and-away
After regular season, top two teams are promoted to top format, with top three in each reaching next phase. Phase 2: same groups as phase
Competition flight. Third- to sixth-ranked teams qualify for play-offs, Competition Home and away one, subgroup A teams face corresponding subgroup B teams only (IA v. IB, IIA v. IIB,
etc.) home and away. Top three in each group and best fourth-placed side (making 16
Home and away winners of which also gain promotion. Bottom four teams
format + play-offs
format + mini-league teams) advance. Phase 3 consists of straight knockout ties – the four teams that win
are relegated to third tier + play-offs through are promoted. Bottom four sides from each phase 1 subgroup contest
eight-team home-and-away mini-league together with counterparts from their group.
Bottom five in each mini-league are relegated, along with worst third-placed side
rights Confidential SmartBank, Banco Banking rights N/A N/A N/A
No No
Santander

There is a mechanism in place USD 39,003,925 Top-tier competition There is a mechanism in place USD 17,745,270 National association
TV TV
USD 24,627,783 Yes No USD 2,295,670
USD 109,244,684 USD 69,667,719 USD 2,500,000
Competition organiser’s revenue structure breakdown**

Competition organiser’s revenue structure breakdown
50% 23% 14% 13% 34% 23% 17% 16% 10%
TV rights Sponsorship & commercial Other Participation and organisation of sport competition Refereeing
TV rights Other Sponsorship & commercial Ticketing
Competition organiser’s cost structure breakdown**
29% 23% 15% 12% 11% 10%
56% 30% 13% 1%
Club & regional federation grants Competitions & technical structure Other Administrative & payroll Refereeing Cup & supercup
Administrative & payroll Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.) Other Refereeing * The competition format shown here is a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and, as of next year, it will change as per the RFEF’s recent restructuring and rebranding
of the competition.
* LaLiga is a member of the RFEF. As such, the competition is organised by LaLiga in coordination with the RFEF. ** While the operational revenues and costs reflect those of the entire RFEF, and thus no specific split is possible, they still give an approximate idea of what it means
40 to organize Spain’s Segunda División B.
Swedish Football Association SVFF 18

SWEDEN
Name of Status Organiser: Hybrid model Name of Status Organiser:

National association manages
Semi-professional competition and league association sells Semi-professional National association
Superettan (Svensk Elitfotboll) marketing rights Ettan
Amateur Amateur
16 32
Simplified Explanation At end of regular season, top two teams are promoted and Simplified Explanation Regular season featuring two groups of 16 teams split along geographical
bottom two are relegated. Third-placed side contest two-legged lines. Group winners are automatically promoted to second tier.
Competition play-off for promotion against 14th-placed team from top flight. Competition Home and away Runners-up from each group contest promotion play-offs against 13th-
Home and away
format + play-offs 13th- and 14th-placed sides look to avoid relegation in play-offs format + play-offs
and 14th-placed sides from second tier. Bottom three teams in each group
are relegated; 13th-placed side in each group face runners-up from fourth
against runners-up from each group of third tier tier in relegation play-offs
No No

% of Svensk Elitfotboll's League association (top League association (top
There is a mechanism in place There is no mechanism in place Travel contribution to all clubs
marketing revenue tier & second division) tier & second division)
TV Yes No TV
rights Yes No rights Yes No Yes No
The company that holds the national TV rights also USD 2,910,368 USD 740,373
Confidential has some international rights, but the amount is
unknown
Confidential Confidential
100% 100%
Club participation fees Club participation fees
Competition organiser’s cost structure breakdown* Competition organiser’s cost structure breakdown
100% 100%
Administrative & payroll

Administrative & payroll
* Given the hybrid model in place, the revenue and cost structures shown here refer exclusively to the organisation of the competition.
41 Revenue from marketing rights – which are sold by the league association, and the figures for which are confidential – is not included.
Swiss Football Association SFV 13

SWITZERLAND
ASF
Name of Status Organiser: Name of Status Organiser: National association

competition Professional League entity
Independent competition Professional
Specific section that manages competition
Semi-professional Cerutti Il Caffè Semi-professional is called Erste Liga (DE), Première Ligue
Challenge League Swiss
Swiss Football
Football League(SFL)
League
Amateur Promotion League Amateur (FR), Prima Lega (IT)
10 16
Simplified Explanation After regular season, table-toppers are promoted to Super Simplified Explanation
League and bottom team drop down into third division. Traditional home-and-away season in which top team are
Competition Second-placed team go through to two-legged play-off Competition
Home and away Home and away promoted and bottom two are relegated
format (x2) + play-offs against ninth-placed team from top flight for format
chance of promotion
rights E-commerce (online rights USD 50,000 Cerutti Il Caffè Food and beverage
No Confidential Brack.ch No
department store)

Solidarity 21.5% of SFL's centrally Solidarity League association (top
There is a mechanism in place generated revenue Top-tier competition There is no mechanism in place USD 400,000 tier & second division)
TV Yes TV
Yes No No
rights USD 7,982,982 rights Yes No Yes No USD 1,000,000
Sold as a package with 1st division. Sold as a package with 1st division.
Thus, amounts are unknown Thus, amounts are unknown
76% 24% 75% 17% 4% 4%
TV rights Sponsorship & commercial Grants & subsidies (SFV & SFL) Fines Sponsorship & commercial Financial
62% 12% 10% 9% 6% 1º%
65% 14% 11% 10%
Solidarity payments Refereeing Administrative & payroll Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.)
Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.) Administrative & payroll Other Refereeing
42 Ranking premiums Fair-play trophy payments

Ukrainian Association of UAF 24

UKRAINE
Football

competition Professional Leagueentity
Independent competition Professional League
Semi-professional ProfessionalFootball
Professional FootballLeague
League Semi-professional Professional Football League
Ukrainian First League Ukrainian
Amateur of Ukraine
of Ukraine Amateur of Ukraine
(or Persha Liha) Second League
16
16 26
Simplified Explanation Simplified Explanation Regular season featuring two groups of 13 teams, with top
Regular
Regular season
season with traditional
with traditional home-and-away
home-and-away format. Top three format.
rise into
Competition Top three rise into
first division first division
and bottom and bottom
two are relegated to third two
tier. are
Competition two of each group being promoted to second tier and
format Home and away format Home and away bottom team of each group being relegated to amateur
relegated to third tier fourth division
No No

TV TV
rights Yes Yes
rights Yes Yes
No No USD 10,000 No No USD 10,000
100% 100%
Club registration fees Club registration fees
Competition organiser’s cost structure breakdown*

60% 25% 15%
60% 25% 15%
Administrative & payroll Refereeing Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.)
Administrative & payroll Refereeing Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.)
* These percentages refer to the league association structure as a whole. A breakdown by division is not possible.
43
Uruguayan Football Association AUF 9

URUGUAY
CONMEBOL

Segunda División Primera División
Profesional Amateur Amateur Amateur
12 17
Simplified Explanation After regular season, top two are promoted to top flight and bottom Simplified Explanation Two tournaments, Apertura and Clausura, with same format
After regular season, top two are promoted to top flight (single round robin) but different number of teams. All
two are relegated. Third- to sixth-placed teams qualify for play-offs
Competition and bottom two are relegated. Third- to sixth-placed teams Competition teams participate in Apertura, from which only top eight go
Home and away (semi-finals and final), winners of which are awarded third promotion
qualify for play-offs (semi-finals and final), winners of Single round robin
format format through to Clausura. Season champions (who gain
+ play-offs which are awardedspot. third promotion spot + play-offs promotion) determined through play-off between winners
of Apertura and Clausura
Yes Sponsor's name Industry Yes Amount Sponsor's name Industry

Naming Amount SPONSOR Naming SPONSOR
No No

TV Yes TV
Yes No No Yes No Yes No
rights International and national TV rights are USD 114,120 rights N/A
USD 1,169,370 packaged and sold together, so the No figure No figure
amount is the same
95% 5%

TV rights Sponsorship & commercial
36% 33% 27% 4% 36% 33% 27% 4%
Staff & stadiums Refereeing Security Other Staff & stadiums Refereeing Security Other
44
United States Soccer USSF 20

USA
Concacaf
Federation
Name of Status Organiser: Name of Status Organiser: League

competition Professional League entity
Independent competition Professional
Semi-professional Semi-professional United Soccer League
USL Championship United Soccer League
Swiss Football League (USL)
(SFL) USL League One
Amateur Amateur
35 12
Simplified Explanation Regular season split into conferences (East and West) with 17 and Simplified Explanation Each team face ten others, with one opponent being omitted from
18 teams respectively: top six go directly through to conference each club’s schedule to limit air travel. Each side have one assigned
Competition Home and away
play-offs (quarter-finals, semis and final). Before quarter-finals, Competition Home and away
“regional rival”, whom they meet four times, and play seven other
format “play-in round” is contested (7th v. 10th, 8th v. 9th), the winners of format teams twice and the remaining two opponents once.
+ play-offs which also advance to play-offs. Winners of each conference final + play-offs After regular season, top two from overall standings contest final
play each other for season title play-off to determine season champions
Promotion 0 Promotion 0 0 0
Relegation 0 Relegation 0 0 0
rights rights N/A N/A N/A
No N/A N/A N/A No

There is a mechanism in place N/A N/A There is a mechanism in place N/A N/A
TV Yes TV
Yes No No Yes No Yes No
rights Confidential rights Confidential
Confidential Confidential Confidential Confidential
60% 20% 10% 10% 60% 20% 10% 10%
Other Financial TV rights Sponsorship & commercial Other Financial TV rights Sponsorship & commercial
Competition organiser’s cost structure breakdown*

60% 20% 10% 10% Competition organiser’s cost structure breakdown
60% 20% 10% 10%
* These percentages refer to the USL’s structure as a whole. A breakdown by division is not possible.
45
Venezuelan Football FVF 30

VENEZUELA
CONMEBOL
Association

Segunda división Amateur Tercera división Amateur
21 48
Simplified Explanation Two short tournaments per year (Apertura and Clausura) with Simplified Explanation Two short tournaments per year (Apertura and Clausura) with
identical format: regular season featuring three groups of seven identical format: regular season featuring eight groups of varying sizes
Competition teams, with top two from each group and best two third-placed Competition Home and away and split along geographical lines. Based on aggregate table, best
format Home and away teams qualifying for play-offs (quarter-finals, semis and final). Play-off format team from each group advance to final phase comprising two
+ play-offs winners from both tournaments are promoted, bottom two teams – + mini-league mini-leagues of four teams, with home-and-away format. Winners of
based on aggregate points – are relegated each mini-league clinch promotion
rights USD 1,800,000 Kick Soccer Coin Cryptocurrency rights N/A N/A N/A
No No

TV TV
rights Yes No Yes No USD 90,000 rights Yes No Yes No N/A
100%
Sponsorship & commercial
70% 25% 5%
No significant sources of costs can be reported
Refereeing Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.) Administrative & payroll
46
Football Association of Wales FAW 17

WALES
Second division
Name of competition Status Professional Organiser:

Semi-professional National association
Cymru North/South
Amateur
32
Calendar Single-year
Number of clubs
Dual-year
Simplified Explanation
Regular season divided into two groups of 16 teams (Cymru South
Competition format and North). Winning team in each zone are promoted to top tier,
Home and away whereas bottom three of each group are relegated to third tier
Promotion 2 0 2
Direct Indirect Total
Relegation 6 0 6
Yes Amount Sponsor's name Industry

Naming rights SPONSOR
USD 51,418 JD Sports Sports retail

No
Yes No Amount Origin

Solidarity
Economic subsidies National association
There is a mechanism in place
(amount not available)
Sold nationally Sold internationally Average club revenue

TV rights
Yes No Yes USD 269,841
£0 - bolt-on to top division contract No
Bolt-on to top-division contract
69% 25% 6%
Competition organiser’s
revenue structure breakdown
FAW subsidies and grants Sponsorship & commercial Club affiliation fees
38% 38% 11% 7% 6%

22 Competition organiser’s
cost structure breakdown
Administrative & payroll Refereeing Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.) Media, marketing and rights delivery Prize money
47
Football Association of Wales FAW 17

WALES
Third division Third division

competition Professional competition Professional League
Semi-professional National association Semi-professional
Ardal Leagues Southern Limited
Ardal Leagues Amateur Ardal Leagues Amateur
32 32
Simplified Explanation Regular season featuring two groups of 16 teams (North Simplified Explanation Regular season featuring two groups of 16 teams (South
East and North West), with winners of each group rising East and South West), with winners of each group rising
Competition Home and away into second tier and bottom three of each group being Competition Home and away into second tier and bottom three of each group being
format + play-off relegated. Additionally, runners-up of each group face format + play-off relegated. Additionally, runners-up of each group face
each other in one-off play-off for promotion each other in one-off play-off for promotion
Promotion
Direct
2 Indirect
1 Total
3 Promotion
Direct
2 Indirect
1 Total
3
rights USD 29,554 Lock Stock Storage Storage solutions
rights USD 7,710 Floodlighting Floodlighting
No No
& Electrical Services

Economic subsidies Economic subsidies
There is a mechanism in place (amount not available) National association There is a mechanism in place (amount not available) National association
TV Yes
TV Yes
No No
rights Yes rights
No USD 83,522 Yes No USD 83,522
Bolt-on to top-division contract Bolt-on to top-division contract
45% 25% 20% 10% 35% 35% 20% 10%
Sponsorship & commercial Player registration FAW subsidies and grants Club atffiliation fees FAW subsidies and grants Player registration Sponsorship & commercial Club affiliation fees
22 50% 25% 25% 50% 25% 25%
Administrative & payroll Prize money Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.)
Administrative & payroll Prize money Logistics & support (e.g. travel subsidies, equipment, matchday organisation, etc.)
48

Fifa Comparative Analysis of Second and Third Divisions

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Fifa Comparative Analysis of Second and Third Divisions

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COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

OF SECOND AND THIRD DIVISIONS

When we talk about professional football, most people automatically

This Comparative Analysis of Second and Third Divisions is a landmark study of

Emilio García Silvero Ornella Desirée Bellia

COUNTRY-SPECIFIC INSIGHTS ........................................................................ 21

Competition status ................................................................................. 6 Italy .............................................................................................................. 33

Competition organiser ................................................................................. 7 Mexico .............................................................................................................. 34

Number of teams ................................................................................. 8 Netherlands .............................................................................................................. 35

Promotion & relegation berths ................................................................................. 9 Peru .............................................................................................................. 36

Promotion berths ................................................................................10 Poland .............................................................................................................. 37

Relegation berths ................................................................................11 Portugal .............................................................................................................. 38

Competition formats ................................................................................12 Senegal .............................................................................................................. 39

Naming rights ................................................................................13 Spain .............................................................................................................. 40

TV rights ................................................................................15 Sweden .............................................................................................................. 41

Solidarity mechanism ................................................................................18 Switzerland .............................................................................................................. 42

Average revenue structure of Ukraine .............................................................................................................. 43

division it is 42%, 16%, and 42%.

9 April 2020 7 April 2021

RANK TEAM TOTAL POINTS RANK TEAM TOTAL POINTS

2 France 1733 2 France 1757

3 Brazil 1712 3 Brazil 1743

4 England 1661 4 England 1687

5 Uruguay 1645 5 Portugal 1666

6 Croatia 1642 6 Spain 1648

7 Portugal 1639 7 Italy 1642

8 Spain 1636 8 Argentina 1642

9 Argentina 1623 9 Uruguay 1639

10 Colombia 1622 10 Denmark 1632

11 Mexico 1621 11 Mexico 1630

12 Switzerland 1608 12 Germany 1609

Italy 13 Switzerland 1606

14 Netherlands 1604 14 Croatia 1606

15 Germany 1602 15 Colombia 1601

16 Denmark 1598 16 Netherlands 1598

17 Chile 1579 17 Wales 1570

17 Sweden 1579 18 Sweden 1570

19 Poland 1559 19 Chile 1570

20 Senegal 1555 20 USA 1555

21 Peru 1544 21 Poland 1550

22 USA 1542 22 Senegal 1542

23 Wales 1540 24 Ukraine 1516

24 Ukraine 1537 27 Peru 1512

25 Venezuela 1517 30 Venezuela 1501

FIFA COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SECOND AND THIRD DIVISIONS

l B" A" zil ile ia y y ly s l

al o A B" A" razil hile ia ru ua

al o A " " zil ile bia ru y la ium roati

l " " zil ile y y ly ds al

l B" A" zil ile y y ly ds al en land aine

Second division Third division

Home and away

al o A a zil ile bia ru ua

l B" A" zil ile y y ly ds al

4 29% 2 14% 0% 0% 1 7% 1 7% 2 14% 1 7% 1 7% 1 7% 1 7% 0%

* Not applicable because national TV rights are individually sold by clubs

al o A B" A" zil ile bia ru y la ium roati

al o A B" A" zil ile bia ru y la ium roati

l B" A" zil ile ia y y ly s l

Second division Third division

Second division Third division

Payroll, personnel & administrative

FIFA COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SECOND AND THIRD DIVISIONS