Sport in Uzbekistan must evolve beyond a tool for public health and podium finishes; it needs to become a robust, revenue-generating pillar of the national economy. This was the central message from president Shavkat Mirziyoyev during a government meeting on April 7.
A primary focus of the discussion was the revitalization of the national football championship. Officials noted that scheduling matches during working hours has stifled stadium attendance, which remains well below potential. To combat this, authorities have been tasked with a "rapid growth" strategy. Key proposals include shifting matches to weekends or evening slots (after 7:00 PM), enhancing the "matchday experience" with entertainment and music around stadiums, and ensuring seamless transportation for fans.
Furthermore, the government plans to introduce affordable "football tour packages" tailored for visiting supporters. These initiatives are projected to double or triple club revenues while providing high-quality leisure for the public and fresh opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
The meeting also addressed the state of infrastructure in provinces. Currently, 39 indoor and outdoor sports facilities are underutilized due to disrepair. To fix this, a new decree will facilitate the transfer of these sites to the private sector under public-private partnerships terms for modernization into state-of-the-art sports complexes.
This follows a previous presidential decree establishing a direct state-funding model for football clubs. In 2026, teams will receive a combined 560 billion UZS (35 billion UZS each). To further incentivize growth, clubs will be exempt from personal income tax, and their social tax rate will be slashed to just 1%. Additionally, businesses looking to acquire clubs will have access to preferential credit lines.
Follow us on:
