The Premier League, officially registered as “The Football Association Premier League Ltd.” (FAPL), is the organizing and commercial body for the top division of English football. Since its registration with the EU Transparency Register in August 2010, the Premier League has been an active lobbyist in Brussels, representing the collective interests of its 20 member clubs. Its core mission is to protect and promote the commercial, regulatory, and sporting interests of English football at the European level.
The Premier League’s lobbying priorities focus on several key EU policy areas: sport policy development, audio-visual and media rights, competition and internal market rules, the free movement of workers, and social dialogue. The League also seeks to contribute its expertise in using football as a tool for education, health, and social integration initiatives within the EU context.
The Premier League acts not only as a trade association for its clubs but also as a key stakeholder in broader European sports governance. It is a member of influential networks such as the European Professional Football Leagues Association, the World Leagues Forum, and the Sports Rights Owners’ Coalition. These affiliations allow the Premier League to coordinate lobbying efforts and policy responses on issues affecting professional football leagues globally.
The League operates both from its London headquarters and its EU office in Brussels, ensuring a continuous presence in European policy discussions. Its Brussels office enables direct engagement with EU institutions, particularly on legislative proposals impacting sports governance, intellectual property, and digital single market initiatives.
Financially, the Premier League’s EU lobbying activities are significant, with annual declared expenditures in the €200,000–€299,999 range for the most recent financial year. It also engages intermediaries such as APCO Worldwide and Forward Global to support its advocacy efforts. The League’s lobbying team comprises a mix of full-time and part-time staff, including individuals accredited for access to the European Parliament.
The Premier League’s lobbying strategy is characterized by high-level engagement, evidenced by eight meetings with senior European Commission officials in the most recent reporting period. Its approach emphasizes both direct representation and coalition-building with other rights holders and creative industries.
Overall, the Premier League is a prominent and well-resourced actor in the EU’s lobbying landscape, leveraging its commercial clout and network affiliations to shape policy outcomes relevant to professional football and the broader sports sector.