Latest News
Real Madrid and Barcelona neck-and-neck as world’s most valuable football brands in the face of COVID-19
- Real Madrid remain world’s most valuable football brand, but Barcelona narrow the gap to just €6 million
- COVID-19 causes total brand value of top 50 clubs to decrease for the first time in 6 years – €751 million or 3.7% is knocked off
- English clubs dominate the ranking with six brands in top 10 and 19 in top 50
- Liverpool inches two spots up into 4th place, following historic Premier League win
- Bundesliga’s 1. FC Köln is this year’s fastest-growing brand, followed by Leicester City and RB Leipzig – all recording over 40% growth
- Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium takes top spot in Buro Happold’s Venue Performance Rating
Real Madrid remain the most valuable football club brand in the world for 2020, according to the latest edition of the Brand Finance Football Annual. Boosted by winning the LaLiga title for the first time since 2017, the club retained its position at the top of the table in the football industry, but against a backdrop of economic and social disruption, caused primarily by the COVID-19 pandemic, Real Madrid’s brand value has declined by 14% to €1,419 million.
Real Madrid’s disappointing on-pitch performance prior to 2019-20, which saw an earlier-than-normal exit from the UEFA Champions League in 2018-19 and a second successive season adrift of LaLiga champions Barcelona, eroded the club’s dominance of the Brand Finance ranking. The situation was exacerbated by COVID-19, along with a lack of stability around the management of the team. Barcelona, Real’s fierce rivals, are just €6 million behind Real with a brand value of €1,413 million, supported by strong and diverse revenue generation and continued domestic performance in Spain.
COVID-19 knocks off €751 million of brand value
Real Madrid is not the only club to see a drop in brand value this year. COVID-19 has caused the total value of the top 50 football brands to decrease for the first time in 6 years. Through its effect on the three main revenue streams – Matchday, Broadcasting, and Commercial – €751 million or 3.7% has been knocked off the cumulative brand value of the world’s top 50 most valuable football clubs.
The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged professional football worldwide and across all levels. Matchday income for the 501 games remaining in the big 5 leagues dropped to zero, but it is often the smaller clubs and leagues which are more reliant on this revenue stream – in Scotland it makes up 43% of total revenue, compared to only 13% in England.
There have been some positive signs, as Southampton vs Manchester City on BBC broke the Premier League TV audience record with 5.7 million viewers, but the longer-term damage to the game’s economic structure has yet to be revealed.
Richard Haigh, Managing Director of Brand Finance, commented:
“Top-level football has been confronted with the largest existential threat since the Second World War. Loss of income, coupled with health concerns about mass gatherings, have raised question marks about the future of the industry and the financial resilience of clubs across all levels. The full damage of the COVID-19 crisis has yet to unfold and it is not inconceivable there will be casualties in the form of club bankruptcies and changes in ownership.”
Despite the huge implications of COVID-19 for football clubs and their financial results, the majority of the brand value is secured by the clubs’ long-term future – provided they can survive the initial shock. For example, only 21% of Real Madrid’s brand value is delivered by the next five years’ financial results.
Premier power
Real Madrid and Barcelona are followed by a cluster of English Premier League clubs in the Brand Finance Football Annual 2020 ranking, with Manchester United in 3rd position after their brand value fell by 11% to €1,314 million. Liverpool, who won their first league title since 1990 in runaway style, are in 4th spot jumping above Manchester City in terms of brand value, rising from €1,191 million in 2019 to €1,262 million, a 6% increase. Chelsea dropped one place in the table to 8th after their value fell for the fourth consecutive year to €949 million. This was arguably due to the club being absent from the UEFA Champions League and also suffering a transfer ban after being charged with breaking Financial Fair Play Regulations.
Powered by WPeMatico
Conferences
HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 Becomes History: 400 Industry Leaders Celebrate 10 Years of Impact in a Landmark Edition
The HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 has officially concluded, marking not only the end of another exceptional edition, but the celebration of a defining milestone: 10 Years of Impact.
Bringing together nearly 400 professionals from across iGaming, technology, fintech, compliance, AI, and blockchain, this year’s summit stood as the most ambitious and dynamic edition to date — two days of high-level insights, meaningful connections, hands-on learning, and unforgettable experiences.
From early-morning wellness sessions to late-night celebrations, HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 delivered a complete, immersive industry experience — one that will be remembered as a benchmark moment for the European Gaming & Tech ecosystem.
A Summit Designed for Insight, Strategy & Real Connections
Held on 24–25 March 2026 at OREA Hotel Andel’s Prague, the summit once again proved why it remains a cornerstone event where technology, compliance, and innovation converge.
The 10th Anniversary edition expanded into its full-scale format featuring:
- Three core conference stages
- The hands-on HIPTHER Academy
- The GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026
- Curated networking experiences across every touchpoint
The result? A boutique, high-impact environment where conversations weren’t just happening — they were shaping the next decade of the industry.
Four Stages. One Unified Vision of the Future
The summit unfolded across four stages, bringing together compliance, regulation, business strategy, and innovation into one cohesive narrative. From regulatory deep dives and enforcement trends to cross-industry discussions spanning iGaming, fintech, AI, and media, the agenda balanced specialization with meaningful dialogue between operators, suppliers, and advisors.
A standout element was the dedicated Responsible Gaming & Player Safety focus on Day 2, curated by the Institute for Gambling Regulation (IPRH). This track placed player protection and sustainable industry growth at the forefront, addressing emerging risks, early detection mechanisms, and the need for greater cross-border regulatory alignment through expert-led panels and case-driven discussions.
Elevating the conference, the HIPTHER Academy further expanded the summit’s scope into a practical learning environment, offering hands-on workshops and certifications across AI, compliance, marketing, and leadership. With a clear emphasis on real-world application, the Academy positioned itself as a platform for professionals looking to strengthen both their expertise and strategic impact.
Networking: From Morning Energy to Nights of Excellence
At HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026, networking extended far beyond the conference floor, shaping the experience from early morning and delicious breaks, to late-night celebrations.
The days began with intention, from a calming yoga session on Day 1 to the Morning Networking Run on Day 2 — blending wellness, movement, and connection in true #hipthers style.
As evening fell, the spotlight turned to recognition and celebration. The GamingTECH CEE Awards 2026 honoured the industry’s standout performers, announced in the exciting Endorphina Club Party & Awards Ceremony at Buddha-Bar Prague. As the official Awards Ceremony & Party Sponsor, Endorphina delivered a premium networking experience where prestige met Asian culture and vibrant energy.
The momentum continued with the Closing Party at Reduta Jazz Club, while the now-traditional Unofficial Karaoke Afterparty added a final, memorable touch — proving once again that the strongest connections are often built beyond the stage.
Powered by Industry Leaders: Our Sponsors
The success of HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 was made possible thanks to the incredible support of its partners and sponsors:
- Grand Stage Sponsor: Tom Horn Gaming
- Grand Quality & Compliance Sponsor: Gaming Laboratories International (GLI)
- Silver Sponsor & Badge/Bracelet Sponsor: Kanggiten
- Awards Ceremony & Party Sponsor: Endorphina
- Lanyard Sponsor: DSTGAMING
- General Sponsors: Gaming in Poland, RM Legal, WinSpirit Casino
Their continued support reflects a shared commitment to advancing innovation, compliance, and collaboration across the industry.
A Decade of Impact — And the Next Chapter Begins
Under the theme “Decoding the Future: 10 Years of Impact,” the 2026 edition didn’t just celebrate the past — it set the tone for what comes next.
Zoltan Tündik – HIPTHER Co-Founder & Head of Business stated: “Reaching the 10-year milestone with the HIPTHER Prague Summit is a proud moment of reflection for us. With 19 years of navigating the ever-evolving media and news landscape, we have seen firsthand how vital authentic connection is to industry progress. This edition was a celebration of a decade of impact, but it was also a launchpad for our next chapter. Over the next five years, our focus is on consolidation. We are deepening our roots in the CEE, D-A-CH, Baltic, and Nordic regions. However, we aren’t standing still. We are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of the HIPTHER Balkans Summit in 2027, and we are keeping a very close watch on North America. The market there is ripe for the unique ‘HIPTHER-style’ of boutique, high-value networking, and I suspect we may have some surprises in store for that region very soon.”
Get ready for the next great chapter starting next year — Save the Date & Join us: 23–24 March 2027
Over the last decade, HIPTHER Prague Summit has grown into a trusted platform for knowledge-sharing, cross-border dialogue, and real business connections, bringing together regulators, operators, innovators, and decision-makers shaping the future of Gaming & Tech .
And if this edition proved anything, it’s that the next decade will be even bigger.
The post HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 Becomes History: 400 Industry Leaders Celebrate 10 Years of Impact in a Landmark Edition appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
DigerPAM
Digicode Launches DigerPAM: A Next-Generation Player Account Management System for iGaming Operators
International software provider Digicode has unveiled DigerPAM, an enterprise-grade Player Account Management (PAM) system designed to serve as the operational backbone for modern iGaming operators. DigerPAM integrates core account management, CRM, compliance, promotions, analytics, and growth workflows into a single, scalable platform, giving operators full visibility, control, and performance across their brands and player base.
Built for operational excellence and regulatory compliance
Engineered for operators navigating complex regulations and multi-brand strategies, DigerPAM centralises every player interaction—from acquisition and registration to lifecycle engagement and retention—within one intelligent framework.
Key capabilities include:
- Unified operational core: Manage player profiles, wallets, CRM, bonus engines, content, compliance workflows, and reporting seamlessly from a single system.
- Full lifecycle oversight: Track and engage players from first interaction to lifetime value with real-time behavioural insights and segmentation.
- Built-in compliance and reporting: Optional KYC/identity verification, responsible gaming tools, immutable tax logs, and regulatory reporting across jurisdictions.
- Modular, scalable architecture: Cloud-agnostic microservices built for high-traffic, multi-currency operations and rapid provider integration.
- Optional suite integrations: Full compatibility with Digicode’s ecosystem, including DigerRGS, DigerPay, DigerClick, and DigerCompanion, to expand platform functionality.
A solution for modern iGaming realities
DigerPAM supports both standalone operations and complex multi-brand ecosystems, giving operators actionable insights into player behaviour, campaign performance, compliance readiness, and key business KPIs—all without relying on fragmented legacy systems.
“Operators today need a unified engine that not only manages accounts but drives growth with intelligence and compliance at its core,” said Max Maslii, Global CEO at Digicode. “DigerPAM delivers a single, cohesive view across the player lifecycle, eliminates operational fragmentation, and empowers brands to scale confidently.”
The post Digicode Launches DigerPAM: A Next-Generation Player Account Management System for iGaming Operators appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Latest News
Sporting Risk Extends Sportradar’s Agreement to Deliver Player Markets Across 50 Soccer Competitions
Sporting Risk, the sports analytics company specializing in predictive models for market-leading pricing and betting content, has announced the extension of its soccer distribution agreement with Sportradar Group AG.
Sporting Risk’s team and player stat markets are now accessible to Sportradar’s global network of 800 sportsbook operator clients via the Unified Odds Feed (UOF). Covering up to 50 pre-match competitions and 24 in-play competitions, the extensive player market coverage and combinability enhances Sportradar’s existing soccer portfolio. This portfolio already includes exclusive betting data agreements with AFC, Bundesliga, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, CAF, MLS, and UEFA, offering operators a comprehensive, standout soccer betting experience.
For the upcoming World Cup, Sporting Risk will expand its offering to include 100+ player markets, spanning singles, head-to-head, micro markets, and multis, ensuring players have a wide range of betting opportunities.
Sporting Risk’s solutions are designed for real-time engagement, delivering fast, relevant, and entertaining betting options that align with player behaviour and market demand.
Andy Phillips, CBDO at SportingRisk.com, said:
“We’re thrilled to extend our partnership with Sportradar and reach its unmatched operator network. With the World Cup on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to enhance our offering for the tournament. Together, we’re redefining how player data and analytics power the next generation of betting experiences.”
Karl Danzer, SVP Business Development, Sports Content at Sportradar, added:
“Partnering with Sporting Risk ensures our operator clients have access to a market-leading soccer portfolio, helping drive engagement with the world’s most popular sport.”
The post Sporting Risk Extends Sportradar’s Agreement to Deliver Player Markets Across 50 Soccer Competitions appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Betnacional6 days agoOperational Leadership and the Driving Force Behind LatAm’s Largest Event
-
Australia6 days agoNSW: More Than 650 Gaming Machine Exemptions Revoked to Address Gambling Harm
-
Compliance Updates6 days agoUK Government proposals to undermine the ‘aim to permit’ of the Gambling Act 2005?
-
2026 SPiCE South Asia Awards6 days agoQTech Games wins Innovation of the Year at the 2026 SPiCE South Asia Awards
-
Andrea Rossi7 days agoREEVO Goes Live with Betsson in Brazil
-
BIS SIGMA SOUTH AMERICA 20265 days agoVeliTech makes its Brazil debut at BiS SiGMA South America 2026
-
AMUSEBOX5 days agoCasino Iveria Tbilisi Installs Amusnet’s Type S 50 F Slot Cabinets at its Gaming Floor
-
Canada5 days agoPeter & Sons Goes Live in Ontario with Ellipse Entertainment



