Sponsorship surge helps FFF balance budget, grassroots funding rises, Coupe de France rights unresolved | OneFootball

The French Football Federation will present a balanced draft budget and expects to be back in the black by December, driven by stronger sponsorship, yet Coupe de France TV rights remain unresolved.

According to L'Équipe, director general Jean-François Villotte told Friday’s executive committee, held ahead of Saturday’s general assembly, that there was no need for cuts. He said the accounts should balance in December after a €8.7m loss last year, driven by a €10m support payment to the professional game.

The 2026-27 plan is also balanced, with sponsorship, notably a new Nike deal, taking projected revenue to €322m. Partner income is up 45% on 2023-24, including a €29m rise versus 2024-25, with Nike advancing just under €50m in bonuses across 2024-25 and 2025-26 ahead of the new contract starting in July.

The federation budgets €140m for the grassroots game, a total that also covers the women’s league and the third tier. The specific amateur allocation is €113m, up from €92m.

For the Coupe de France, €12m is pencilled in, but the TV deal is not final. Pay TV terms with beIN Sports stand at €9m a year without a signed contract. France Télévisions offers €4.5m against €8m previously and cannot sign before its contrat d’objectif et de moyens is approved, and Philippe Diallo said midweek he remained reasonably optimistic but could not yet announce a deal.

Source: L'Équipe