Round Context · European Nights, 15–17 Sep
Europa League Matchday 1 Generates €29.4M in Economic Activation, Led by AC Milan-Sport Lisboa e Benfica
The 18 matches of Europa League Matchday 1 played Sept. 16-17 generated €29.4 million in economic activation across 18 host cities, led by AC Milan-Sport Lisboa e Benfica in Milan at €6.9 million, according to Reputation League estimates.
- Economic activation
- €29.4m
- Matches
- 18
- Spectators
- 455,000
- International visitors
- 25,000
It was 18% more than Matchday 1 of the 2025-26 season (€24.8 million). The matches drew 455,000 spectators, including an estimated 25,000 international visitors, and about 38,200 overnight stays. The leading host cities were Milan (€6.9 million), Glasgow (€3.1 million), Turin (€2.9 million). Through Sept. 17, 2026, the Europa League had generated €29.4 million across 18 matches in the 2026-27 season.
Matches by economic activation
| Match | City | Economic activation |
|---|---|---|
| AC Milan-Sport Lisboa e Benfica | Milan | €6.9m |
| Celtic Football Club-Ferencvárosi TC | Glasgow | €3.1m |
| Juventus Football Club-N.E.C. | Turin | €2.9m |
| Sunderland AFC-AZ Alkmaar | Sunderland | €2.6m |
| Beşiktaş JK-Olympique de Marseille | Istanbul | €2.5m |
| Real Sociedad de Fútbol-AFC Bournemouth | San Sebastián | €1.7m |
| Bayer 04 Leverkusen-NK Celje | Leverkusen | €1.7m |
| Olympiacos FC-Jagiellonia Białystok | Piraeus | €1.6m |
| Crystal Palace-Lech Poznań | London | €1.5m |
| RSC Anderlecht-Olympique Lyonnais | Brussels | €1.0m |
| Levski Sofia-FC Red Bull Salzburg | Sofia | €875,000 |
| SK Sturm Graz-Stade Rennais FC | Graz | €713,000 |
FEAF v3 estimates, conservative floor values. Attendance as reported; international visitors and overnight stays are modelled.
Source: Reputation League, Economic Activation Platform (FEAF v3). European Nights, 15–17 Sep. Published 18.09.2026.