The European Union is developing a new strategic vision for the future of sport, guided by the recently adopted European Parliament report on the European model of sport. The document calls for action in four key areas: social inclusion, the protection of shared values and solidarity, collective governance, and the strengthening of rights for athletes, fans, and sports sector workers. Among the biggest challenges identified are the growing commercialization of competitions, which threatens the sustainable development of sport, and the need to protect athletes’ rights and well-being.
Pressure on athletes and the need for balance
The report, adopted in October, highlights the increasing pressure on athletes caused by overloaded match and tournament schedules.
“We are calling for stronger protection of European athletes against excessive sporting obligations that may endanger their health. We oppose the kind of strain placed on footballers and tennis players, which goes beyond reason in terms of how frequently they are expected to compete. Frankly, I do not approve of how Iga Świątek is being penalized with ranking points for not participating intensively enough in the 2025 season. That is simply not normal,” said Bogdan Zdrojewski, MEP from the Civic Coalition (KO) and rapporteur of the European Parliament report on EU strategies shaping the European model of sport, in an interview with the Newseria agency.
This growing burden on athletes stems largely from increasing commercialization, which often conflicts with the European model of sustainable, fair, and value-based sport. According to Zdrojewski, this is a decisive moment to define a long-term strategy for EU sports policy that reconciles economic and ethical dimensions of professional competition.
The report also stresses the importance of maintaining balance between national team competitions and club tournaments, and recommends legal frameworks requiring clubs to release players for national duties.
“We oppose moving European matches outside of Europe. There were attempts — like playing the King’s Cup or a Barcelona match in Florida — and we consider that unacceptable. Out of respect for European fans, official competitions should take place exclusively in Europe. Friendly matches or national team games abroad are fine, but European league and cup fixtures must remain on European soil,” Zdrojewski said.
Following the report’s publication, La Liga announced that it would abandon plans to host matches outside Europe, confirming the influence of the initiative.
“We’ve already seen institutional decisions ensuring that European matches will remain protected. For instance, the FC Barcelona game will not take place in Florida after all. Additionally, some improvements have been made for women athletes returning to sport after childbirth — their rights will now be better respected,” Zdrojewski added.
Support from FIFA and a new social approach
The FIFA organization welcomed the Parliament’s report, noting that it aligns with its own recent reforms following the Court of Justice of the EU’s ruling in the Lassana Diarra case, which prompted changes in transfer regulations. FIFA expressed support for the report’s proposals to raise the social and ethical standards of European sport, including the right of players to freely represent their countries in national teams.
Sport, the report notes, is not just a cultural or social activity — it is also a significant economic sector, generating 2.12% of the EU’s GDP and providing nearly 6 million jobs. With its growing importance, the report calls for a new approach to governance, emphasizing the social rights of athletes and sports workers, such as freedom of association, equal treatment, and safe working conditions.
Particular attention is given to the protection of minors and the rights of women, especially regarding pregnancy, maternity leave, and leadership opportunities in sports organizations. It also calls for stricter oversight of sports agents working with underage athletes and proposes the establishment of an EU Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee on Professional Sport to help implement these principles.
Sport as a social and health priority
Beyond economics, the report stresses the social and public health value of sport. Physical activity not only provides entertainment but also builds cultural identity, supports mental and physical health, and helps combat social exclusion and youth violence.
“We emphasize the need to promote not only healthy lifestyles but also regular physical activity — which doesn’t have to mean professional sport. We attach great importance to this and appeal for such initiatives to be part of all EU promotional activities,” Zdrojewski said.
Solidarity and investment in grassroots sport
The report also recommends greater financial solidarity between professional and grassroots sports, highlighting the need for more investment in sports infrastructure — especially in rural areas and underprivileged urban districts. One proposed measure is to increase funding for mass sport within the Erasmus+ program for 2028–2034.
A new long-term EU sports vision
The ideas outlined in the report will serve as a foundation for the EU’s upcoming long-term strategic vision for sport, currently undergoing public consultation. The strategy aims to reaffirm the European model of sport as open, fair, socially responsible, and focused on human well-being — ensuring that economic success never comes at the cost of athletes’ health, equality, or integrity.
