Sport and EU Competition Law: An Introductory Guide

Authors

Estelle Ivanova, Ian Blackshaw

ISBN: 9781035395804

Published: September 2026

Format: Paperback

Language: English

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing Limited

Availability: Dispatched by the supplier in 4 to 6 days.

Description

This Practical Guide provides a foundational overview of the evolving application of EU competition law to sport, combining comprehensive analysis with practical guidance. Estelle Ivanova and Ian Blackshaw explain how EU competition law shapes sports governance, examining its principles, scope, extraterritorial reach, enforcement and judicial dialogue, and its interaction with fundamental freedoms, human rights and international sports arbitration.

Key Features

• Analyses the dual role of sports governing bodies as regulators and economic operators in organising and commercialising competitions
• Examines Articles 101 and 102 TFEU and EU merger control as applied to sporting rules and commercial arrangements, including restrictive practices and abuse of dominance
• Analyses the application of EU law by CAS panels and the judicial review of CAS awards, including issues of Swiss public policy and ECtHR scrutiny
• Dissects leading disputes, including the Ticombo v IOC complaint, Royal Antwerp, RFC Seraing v FIFA and recent multiple club ownership disputes

Coverage

Part I covers the foundations: general principles of EU competition law in sport, extraterritorial application, the EU White Paper on sport and the specificity of sport, fundamental freedoms and human rights, the role of CAS panels and judicial review of CAS awards, and EU State aid and foreign subsidies. Part II applies them through practical case studies: ticketing restrictions, exclusive supply agreements, centralised platforms, home-grown players, collective selling of broadcasting rights, merger control and sports media rights, sporting bans under UEFA financial sustainability regulations, multiple club ownership, salary caps, transfer clauses, ambush marketing, State aid for sports infrastructure, FIFA football agent rules, sports hospitality packages, sports employment agreements and esports.

About the Authors

Estelle Ivanova and Ian Blackshaw are the authors of this Practical Guide.

Table of Contents

Part I. EU and Sport: Foundations and General Approach (chapters 1-8): introductory remarks; general principles, consequences and judicial dialogue; extraterritorial application; the EU White Paper on sport and the specificity of sport; fundamental freedoms and human rights; CAS panels; judicial review of CAS awards; EU State aid and foreign subsidies in sport.

Part II. Selected Key Specific Topics with Practical Case Studies (chapters 9-26): ticketing (Ticombo v. IOC); exclusive supply agreements (official balls); centralised platforms (UCI prize money); home-grown players (Royal Antwerp); collective selling and collusive tendering of broadcasting rights; merger control (Liberty Media/Dorna); UEFA financial sustainability bans; multiple club ownership; salary caps; transfer clauses; ambush marketing; State aid for sports infrastructure; RFC Seraing v FIFA (C-600/23); FIFA football agent rules; sports hospitality (On Location, FIFA World Cup 2026); sports employment agreements (CD Tondela); esports; concluding remarks.

Why buy this book?

It brings EU competition law, sports governance and sports arbitration into one practical reference built around real disputes, which makes it a working tool for sports lawyers and competition practitioners handling sports-related cases. It is also useful for sports administrators, sports marketers, academics, researchers and students.

Keywords

sport and EU competition law, sports law, Articles 101 and 102 TFEU, abuse of dominance, Court of Arbitration for Sport, CAS, FIFA, UEFA, multiple club ownership, State aid, sports media rights, esports

Target Audience

Lawyers, Legal Academics, Academics

Genre

Competition Law, Sports Law, European Union Law

Q&A

How does EU competition law apply to sports governing bodies?
Sports governing bodies act both as regulators and as economic operators that organise and commercialise competitions. This guide analyses how Articles 101 and 102 TFEU and EU merger control apply to their rules and commercial arrangements, including restrictive practices and abuse of dominance.

What is the role of the Court of Arbitration for Sport in EU competition law disputes?
The book examines how CAS panels apply EU competition law, fundamental freedoms and human rights, and how CAS awards are reviewed, including questions of Swiss public policy and scrutiny by the European Court of Human Rights.

Which disputes and cases does the book analyse?
Case studies include the Ticombo v IOC complaint, Royal Antwerp, RFC Seraing v FIFA (C-600/23), multiple club ownership awards, the Liberty Media/Dorna merger decision and the CD Tondela employment case.

Does the book cover esports and ambush marketing?
Yes. Part II includes dedicated chapters on esports, ambush marketing, salary caps, transfer clauses, sports hospitality packages and State aid for sports infrastructure.

Who is this guide written for?
It is designed for sports lawyers and competition practitioners handling sports-related disputes, and is also a resource for sports administrators, sports marketers, academics, researchers and students of EU competition and sports law.

Where can I buy Sport and EU Competition Law: An Introductory Guide?
You can order it from CLNZ Books at clnzbooks.com. Pay by card or PayPal, or request a quote for institutional invoicing.

📘 Learn more about shipping, delivery times, and returns, see our FAQ here

📦 New to ordering with us? See our How to Order guide for payment, shipping, and institutional order options.