WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The European Championship begins Friday boasting the numbers to back its reputation as one of world sports’ elite events.
UEFA will earn commercial revenues of at least $1.6 billion for the 16-team tournament in Poland and Ukraine, rivaling FIFA’s 32-nation World Cup for average match value.
With each match slot expected to draw an average television audience of 150 million fans worldwide, Euro 2012 will bring a near-daily diet of ratings bigger than the Super Bowl.
A 237-million audience for the Euro 2008 final was worthy of a Summer Olympics opening ceremony. Such global popularity allows UEFA to be a generous host and budget to earn a nine-figure profit.
