The football stadium

Technological and commercial developments have transformed the football industry, and its reliance on fans attending the matches. However, sports stadia have retained an incredible significance, still embodying the essence of professional sport and the fandom’s socio-cultural centre. In turn, even in times of hyper-broadcasted sport, the exploitation of the rights related to the football stadium represents a very significant source of revenue for clubs, as well as for the local municipality in which they are based. On the background of these considerations, the chapter explores the connection between football stadia and financing. In this context, financing might be provided by private investors, as well as public authorities, which might have a vested interest in funding sporting infrastructures and football stadia. The latter will then be subject to EU State aid rules on the funding for the renovation or construction of football stadia.