According to a decree by the President of Uzbekistan, starting from the 2026 season, football clubs in the Superliga will be financed directly from the state budget. In the current year, 560 billion soums (approximately $45.7 million) is planned to be allocated for 16 clubs. This decree aims to improve financing mechanisms in the sports sector and expand the involvement of entrepreneurial entities.

The decree specifies that each Superliga club will receive 35 billion soums in 2026, 30 billion soums in 2027, and 25 billion soums in 2028. Additionally, loans at an annual rate of 14% for five years, with a one-year grace period, will be provided for purchasing clubs or constructing sports facilities.

A fund to support initiatives in the sports sector is being established under the Ministry of Sports to enhance financing mechanisms, with 700 billion soums from the state budget allocated to it in 2026. Furthermore, income tax on individuals for clubs in the Proliga and Superliga has been abolished, and the social tax rate has been set at 1%.

As of January 2025, only three of the 16 Superliga clubs have private sponsors: Dinamo, Pakhtakor, and Surkhan. The remaining teams are financed by state companies and regional administrations. According to Professional Football League director Diyor Imomkhodjayev in 2024, the government intends to cease funding professional football by 2030, privatize clubs, and transition the sector fully to market mechanisms, with plans to sell 13 clubs by that deadline.

Previously, major state companies such as Uzbekneftegaz withdrew sponsorship from clubs like Bunyodkor, Nasaf, and Bukhara, leading to financial difficulties. The sale of clubs on the balance sheets of state bodies was outlined in a 2023 decree, but the sale of Tashkent's Pakhtakor club was halted due to public opposition.

Source: www.gazeta.uz