The European Leagues was present this week at the European Football Fans Congress 2025 in Malmö, Sweden, an important opportunity to strengthen the relationship between domestic leagues and football fans’ organisations across Europe.

The European Leagues contributed to a panel discussion on the challenges of the International Match Calendar (IMC), alongside Joachim Walltin (FIFPRO Europe) and Tim Payton (Arsenal Supporters’ Trust). Represented on stage by European Leagues Board Member and CEO of the Danish League (Divisionsforeningen), Claus Thomsen, the association brought forward the perspective of national competitions and their growing concerns about the increasing pressure on the International Match Calendar.

Leagues and fans share the position that in professional football we need more compelling and competitive matches and not exactly more matches in an already over-congested calendar.

The ongoing trend of expanding football formats and adding new international competitions to the calendar is not bringing benefits to the football communities across Europe which thrive for local rivalries and national competitions which for decades have brought passion and excitement to millions of football fans.

Back to All News