UEFA’s annual report, titled “The European Club Talent and Competition Landscape,” published in September, provides insights into all 54 member federations for the 2025-2026 competitive season and the summer transfer window of 2026.
The report highlights several key indicators for Romanian football, including stadium attendance, transfers, talent development, and technical trends.
Stadium Attendance Continues to Rise
The study indicates a trend of increasing stadium attendance in European football, with a 1.4% rise compared to the previous season and a 15% increase from the pre-pandemic period. Of the 54 European leagues analyzed, 27 reported increased attendance, with 17 achieving their highest figures in the past decade.
In Romania, the report details the following: the highest attendance at a Superliga match was 34,700 spectators during the Dinamo – Rapid game (0-2, 13th round, October 19, 2025), ranking 14th out of 54 European leagues, ahead of notable leagues such as Austria, Croatia, and Denmark. The average attendance for the 2025-2026 season was 5,746 spectators per match, placing Romania 21st out of 54. The average stadium occupancy rate was 36%, ranking 24th out of 54.
Portuguese Players Dominate Romania’s Transfer Market
On a European scale, the summer 2026 transfer window set several records, with total sales in European leagues reaching €9.3 billion, a 31% increase from summer 2025. Additionally, 56% of the total expenditure was directed towards players under 23, marking the highest percentage in history.
For Romania, UEFA’s report indicates a net revenue from transfers (the difference between earnings from sales and spending on purchases) of €12 million, positioning the country 18th out of 54 in Europe. The gross spending on acquisitions was €9 million, ranking 25th out of 54. Romanian clubs spent approximately €9 million on purchases while earning about €21 million from sales, with 44% of transfer dealings involving foreign players, predominantly from Portugal.
The report also discusses talent usage in the Superliga, revealing that clubs utilize an average of 35 different players per season, the sixth highest number in Europe. In comparison, the European average is 31.1 players, with the top five leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1) employing fewer players, ranging from 27 to 30. Notably, the Premier League has the lowest figure, averaging only 27.6 players per season.
Decline in Playing Time for 20-23 Year Olds
Minutes played by the 20-23 age group decreased significantly from 20% to 14% within a single season, one of the most pronounced drops in UEFA’s report. The data indicates that while very young players are receiving ample playing opportunities, the 20-23 age group is experiencing reduced involvement, despite this phase being critical for performance enhancement and market value growth.
Additionally, the utilization rate of domestically trained players has seen a dip, from 49% in the 2024/2025 season to 47% in 2025/2026. Norway (65%) and Spain (63%) lead in this aspect, while Turkey ranks lowest at 24%. Romania, adhering to UEFA’s
