April 29 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has reported $292.7 million for its last financial year, a $32 million+ improvement on its budgeted revenue figure of $259.9 million.
The figures were approved by the AFC membership at its 36th Annual Congress yesterday in Vancouver, Canada, ahead of the FIFA Congress that takes place today.
The largest contributor to revenue is from broadcast and sponsorship at $215 million, with $50 million being generated from host nation grant support for its competition and $9 million from interest receive and ‘other income’.
At the same time the AFC invested $315 million back into the game in the Asian region, an increase of 4.1% on the previous year.
$164.5 million of that was invested in its competitions with a further $26.3 invested in the AFC Enhance programme that saw money distributed to 34 member associations and the five regional associations.
For the 2027-28 budget cycle, which includes the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, the AFC is predicting revenue of £627 million and expenditure of $708.5 million.
In 2027 total revenue will be $268.9 million and in 2028 it will be $358.1 million.
The AFC’s competitions will generate $366 million, 58% of the revenue with the ‘Crown Jewel’ of the Asian Cup delivering $68.8 million.
The budget deficit in 2027 will be $81.5 million but there will be a surplus of $5.6 million in 2028.
Expenditure forceasts $105.5 million on ‘competition reforms’, $11.2 million on the Women’s Champions League, $85.5 million on development funding, $500,000 on AFC Enhance, $21.4 million on AFC Equal Pitch, $25.1 million on Education.
Administration will account for $104.3 million with digital engagement budgeted for $11.7 million and a further $3.9 million for technology. A further $54.9 million is budgeted “to attract and retain world class staff”.
That will leave the AFC with a ‘strategic deficit’ of $81.5 million in 2027 and $5.6 million in 2028.
That will leave a cash balance of $121 million.
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