Professional football clubs in Uzbekistan are planning to be transferred to the trust management of entrepreneurs who will invest at least 20% of their annual expenses. This concerns 11 clubs, including Bunyodkor, Navbahor, Neftchi, and Pakhtakor. The move is part of the implementation of a presidential decision dated March 24, 2026, aimed at improving financing mechanisms in sports and expanding entrepreneurial participation.
Entrepreneurs who take over the clubs will receive a range of tax and financial benefits. In particular, when calculating profit tax, the taxable profit of a legal entity can be reduced by the amount of sponsorship donations directed to financing the club, but not more than 10% of the taxable profit. Football players will be exempt from personal income tax, and the social tax rate for them will be 1%. Additionally, commercial banks will be able to issue loans for the purchase of clubs, as well as for the construction, reconstruction, and major repairs of sports facilities. Loans will be provided for five years at 14% per annum with a one-year grace period, subject to liquid collateral and a promising business plan. However, buildings, structures, and land plots on the club's balance sheet cannot be used as such collateral.
Entrepreneurs will also receive a 50% discount on advertising their goods and services on central and regional TV channels of the National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan during broadcasts aimed at popularizing and promoting sports. The list of clubs that may be transferred to trust management includes Bunyodkor, Bukhoro, Dynamo, Kyzylkum, Navbahor, Nasaf, Neftchi, Lokomotiv, Mash'al, AGMK, and Pakhtakor.
Recall that problems with the Bunyodkor stadium are occurring against the backdrop of the severe financial situation of the football club of the same name. The team has accumulated debts to foreign players, employees, tax and utility services, and FIFA previously imposed a transfer ban on the club. For Bunyodkor, the transfer of clubs to trust management is happening amid financial problems. Since September 4, the club's stadium has been without electricity due to a debt of almost two billion soums, and the club itself owes employees, tax and utility services, and foreign football players.
Source: podrobno.uz