While the international break will be in full swing in early October, the leaders of the largest European clubs will converge on Rome for the 32nd General Assembly of the European Association (ECA), from October 7 to 9, 2025. A real strategic summit of continental football, this major event will bring together the presidents, owners and executives of more than 700 member clubs from the 55 UEFA associations. Under the chairmanship of Nasser Al-KhelaĂŻfi, ECA is about to debate major issues that will define the future of club football in Europe. Joan Laporta (FC Barcelona), Dan Friedkin (AS Roma) and many other influential figures on the continent will be present in the Italian capital, at the heart of an appointment that promises to be decisive.
On the program of this Roman edition: structural reforms, financial sustainability, development of women's football, and international governance. Football leaders forum, which will open on October 8, will bring together leading personalities from sport and business world around round tables to approach the transformations of the game, transfers, or the question of overload of the international calendar. The next day, the plenary session of October 9 will constitute the culmination of these three days, with the interventions of the leaders of the ECA and the member clubs. The opportunity to take stock of the past year, define the priorities for 2026 and adopt common positions against UEFA and FIFA on the burning files of the moment.
Debates that are already promised to be stormy
This general assembly intervenes in a context of high consolidation of the power of clubs in world football. Since its creation in 2008, ECA has established itself as the only independent body representing clubs with international bodies, officially recognized by UEFA and FIFA. From 137 members at its beginnings, the association now has more than 700 clubs, grouped into different categories with the “ordinary” for those regularly participating in European competitions, and “partners” for other more minor clubs. This expansion, reinforced by the initiative “Membership for all” adopted in 2024, illustrates the will of the ECA to build a more inclusive and participative governance model, giving each club, whatever its size, a voice in major decisions. The General Assembly of Rome therefore promises to be a key step in the ECA strategy to place the clubs “In the heart of football». In the midst of a period of tensions on the question of the international calendar, transfers and the distribution of income, European leaders intend to defend their collective interests and assert their central role in the development of the game.
Behind the technical discussions are also emerging from major political balances: the redefinition of the partnership with UEFA, the place of clubs against FIFA and its global competitions, or the future of expanding female competitions. This 32nd edition comes in the continuity of the momentum initiated in Athens in 2024, where ECA had renewed its strategic partnership with UEFA and launched innovative initiatives, such as a program with Harvard Business School and a solidarity emergency fund via ECA Foundation. Rome must now confirm this dynamic and embody the new era of cooperation and influence of European clubs. In short, beyond words and resolutions, this general assembly will be the scene of a real battle of ideas and influence, where a crucial part of the future of European football will be played.
