First round synonymous with commercial success

Business update

RSC Anderlecht still has three matches left to play this year, but the match against RWDM already closed off the first round. Sporting-wise, Sporting finished the first half of the season in second place, but outside the pitch as well, the club is performing well.

The General Assembly already approved the annual accounts for the past 2022-2023 season. And those positive trends will continue in 2023. Despite a disappointing 11th place at the end of last season, Sporting can already look back on a commercially successful first round. An overview.

Ticketing

8 of the 9 home games (including gala and cup match) sold out completely. The Lotto Park was filled to an average of 98% capacity. The number of season ticket holders has also continued to rise since the introduction of a new subscription plan that allows fans to join in at any time during the season.

And supporters like attending games at the Lotto Park, as shown by a survey held with season ticket holders earlier this month. Overall fan satisfaction with the stadium experience increased by 44%. On average, supporters rate a match at the Lotto Park with a score of 4.74/5. The renewed audio and lighting infrastructure, the musical curation by Brussels cultural temple Ancienne Belgique and more attention to mobility contribute, amongst others, to this positive appreciation.

Hospitality

Fans who attend matches in the business seats are also increasing in number. The Park welcomed more than 70 new businesses to its Business Club. They enjoyed the stadium’s new gastronomic concepts with their guests. In the 8 top restaurants in the stadium - still unrivaled in the Belgian football landscape - we served 30% more covers than last season. And 39 of the 40 private boxes, the most exclusive places in the stadium, are full.

Partnerships

27 partners extended their partnership with RSCA, and the club also welcomed 5 new partners in this first half of the season. Sustainable partnerships that create mutual commercial value for Joma, Lotto, Napoleon Sports and Telenet, among others.

Media

Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht remains by far the most watched football club in the country. The Mauves’ matches are the most watched games across all competitions: the A-team, the RSCA Futures, the RSCA women and RSCA Futsal are number 1 in the viewing figures. Sporting is also the market leader on social media. With a social share of voice of 36%, its digital footprint is the strongest and RSCA reaches the largest number of football fans

Memberships

Fans can also connect to their favorite club by tuning into content on Mauve TV. No fewer than 37 live matches were broadcast on the VOD platform (friendly matches of the A-team, competition games of the RSCA Women, international friendlies of youth teams and Champions League matches of RSCA Futsal). The number of Mauve+ Silver or Mauve+ Gold members also increased to more than 3,500 premium members.

Merch

The turnover of the fan shop increased by 18% compared to last season. 50% of the shirts sold are the iconic purple and white home jersey, and the exclusive editions also contributed to that commercial success. The all-white Paul Van Himst shirt sold out in less than 48 hours. The most popular prints are those of Hazard, Leoni and Vertonghen.

Interested in the commercial story of RSCA? Het in touch via [email protected]