Clubs in Uzbekistan's Superliga may transition to a centralized funding model starting in 2026, with a unified annual budget of 35 billion soums for each club. According to a source from Kun.uz, the Football Association, National Olympic Committee, and Ministry of Sports of Uzbekistan have developed a project to improve the financing system for professional football clubs. The implementation mechanism and decision timeline have not yet been disclosed.

The new model envisions establishing a single annual budget for Superliga clubs using state funds—35 billion soums per year. It also anticipates providing incentives to private companies and sponsors who will finance professional football clubs. This step aims to ensure the financial stability of football clubs amid recent challenges.

This proposal comes against the backdrop of several major state-owned companies ceasing their funding of football clubs. Specifically, at the beginning of the year, Uzbekneftegaz ended its sponsorship of Bunyodkor, Nasaf, and Bukhara. Reports have emerged of financial difficulties in clubs such as Bunyodkor, Dinamo, and Surkhon. The centralized model could help address these financial issues by providing a more structured and reliable funding stream.

Centralized funding models for football clubs are also used in global practice. For instance, in the Saudi Professional League in 2023, as part of sports reforms, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund acquired controlling stakes—approximately 75%—in four leading clubs: Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ittihad. Uzbekistan's model may draw on similar principles to enhance club sustainability and competitiveness.

Source: kun.uz