Jan de Jong warns Dutch football faces €80-120m loss over European spots

Dutch football could lose between €80 million and €120 million after the Netherlands dropped from sixth to seventh in the UEFA coefficient ranking for the 2025/26 season, Eredivisie CV director Jan de Jong warned today. The fall means only the Dutch national champions will secure a direct group-stage spot in the Champions League, while the runner-up must now enter qualifying rounds.

De Jong stressed that the lost revenue cannot be offset by new media deals, sponsorship contracts, or foreign income. The only source to bridge the €80-120 million gap is prize money and participation fees from European competitions.

He recalled that the UEFA Europa Conference League previously boosted the coefficient when Feyenoord Rotterdam reached the final against AS Roma, lifting the Netherlands from 13th to sixth place. That rise demonstrated the impact of accumulating points in the third-tier tournament.

Recent seasons have been disappointing, with Dutch clubs losing 36 European matches. Additionally, the Europa Conference League yielded few points because no Dutch team participated.

De Jong identified Ajax and FC Twente as crucial to regaining ground. Both clubs are active in the qualifying rounds of this season’s Europa Conference League, and strong performances could help restore the country’s ranking and reclaim the lost starting position.

He urged stable clubs to view the Europa Conference League as a realistic route for coefficient points. Consistent results there would secure future Champions League allocations.

According to De Jong, quickly regaining the seventh position is essential to prevent further financial damage and safeguard the Netherlands’ place among Europe’s elite competitions.

The coefficient ranking determines how many Dutch clubs qualify for European tournaments and the stages they enter, directly influencing financial returns from prize money and broadcast deals.