How Has the World’s Pandemic Affected the Football Industry?

Because of the lockdown, football fans, as well as all sports fans, struggled throughout the last year. With no football events happening, viewers had to switch to other entertainment (mostly online streaming platforms, though). Football clubs suffered even more; with no revenue, many of them had to rely on loans from the government to survive. The pandemic was a massive challenge for the entire sports industry. Hopefully, the end is near.

All Major Sporting Events were Canceled for Most of the Year

It is no news that offline entertainment was basically nonexistent for almost the entire year between March of 2020 and 2021. Understandingly, professional sports were off-limits as well. Most of Europe cancelled their 2019/2020 season entirely, including the U.K. Some countries, such as Italy and Spain, allowed players to gather for training (with safety restrictions still in place), but the majority banned even this to protect players’ health.

Obviously, such drastic, albeit necessary, measures caused severe financial losses. Analysts predict that football leagues throughout Europe will keep losing revenues way into 2021.

ESports Became More Popular Than Ever

With the lack of live entertainment and broadcasted football events, many fans turned to eSports and gaming. These activities satisfy fans’ dopamine craving and provide the sense of community lost during the pandemic. As betting companies noticed the spike of interest, they improved secure online gambling payments, which also helped support the rising popularity of eSports. It is yet to be seen if eSports will manage to keep the newly-gained followership after the pandemic.

Broadcasting Revenues Were Lost

The loss of broadcasting revenues hit football leagues hard. According to the Coronavirus and Its Impact on Football report, the French league had to take a loan of more than €200 million from the state to survive the pandemic. In turn, English broadcasters even considered legal action against the Premier League because their investment for the 2019/2020 season turned out useless in the absence of football events. The same was happening in Italy.

Sports channels were left with basically nothing to broadcast. Some of them had to turn to news reporting because, for a moment, sports journalism lost its relevance for the audience. Experts are concerned that not all viewers will return to televised football after the pandemic because many of them either switched to streaming services or quit watching sports altogether.

Clubs Had to Cut Costs

With no revenue in sight, football clubs had to cut costs, which affected not only players but all staff members. Many clubs furloughed all their players and coaches, as well as members of the administration because they could not pay them. They can apply for a grant from the government to cover most of their expenses and keep them afloat until the pandemic is over.

This loan does not cover everything, and salaries are often the first thing to suffer. Luckily, player associations interfered. For example, the union in England offers loans to football players who lost their income because of the pandemic. Also, the English Football League and leagues in other European countries are helping. The EFL created a relief fund of £50 million to support its clubs.

What Now?

It may take a while before fans are able to attend football games everywhere. Professional European football teams are playing again with no spectators present in stadiums. Sure, they lose revenue from ticket sales, but at least broadcasting can be resumed. 

However, things may be looking up for British football fans. The vaccination rates are higher in the U.K. than in most other European countries, so spectators may be allowed to the games again sooner than everyone expected. In fact, the first major game with fans present is scheduled to happen on April 18 at Wembley. It will be the semi-finals of the FA Cup.