Europe’s record number of surprise champions prove titles can still be won without big spending
IMAGO | FC Thun were one of four clubs across Europe’s mid-tier leagues to win a first-ever league title this season, only one year after promotion from the Swiss second tier.
The Recap
Nine clubs across UEFA’s mid-tier leagues won their first domestic title in more than 10 years during the 2025/26 season, with none of them ranking as the biggest spender.
Data Insight
Average spending among the nine title-winning clubs amounted to €11 million across the past three seasons – only one-fifth of the average spending of their competitors.
Why It Matters
The results highlight how stability, long-term planning and controlled squad investment can still compete with significantly larger budgets in European football’s mid-tier leagues.
The Perspective
After years of increasing predictability, the record number of ‘new’ champions could point towards a more competitive and less financially defined landscape across Europe’s mid-tier leagues.
27 May 2026 - 6:00 PM
Last week, the 2025/26 season concluded across most of Europe, with the campaign producing a series of major surprises across several leagues.
Since the turn of the century, there has never been a season with as many clubs in UEFA leagues ranked 11th to 30th winning their first domestic league title in more than 10 years as the nine sides this year.
At a time when transfer activity and spending on player recrui
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