Today in Vienna, the 46th UEFA Congress took place, at which a significant expansion of the Hat Trick solidarity and development program for its sixth cycle was announced.

In the next four-year cycle (2024—2028), the Hat Trick program will receive 935 million euros, UEFA's official website reports. This amount is 21% (160 million euros) higher than the budget of the previous cycle (2020—2024).

Thus, each national association will be able to receive up to 17 million euros over four years. The program supports UEFA member associations in implementing educational projects and development programs such as mass initiatives for girls and boys, social responsibility programs, referee and coach training, as well as financing football infrastructure. It includes help with the construction of fields, stadiums, training centers, and headquarters. Since its creation in 2004, the Hat Trick support program has invested nearly 2.5 billion euros in European football.

Updated information was also provided on the development of women's football in Europe. They highlight the tremendous growth of women's football with record attendance figures, impressive ticket sales, and increased interest from fans, sponsors, and media. This applies to both UEFA Women's Champions League and the upcoming 2022 UEFA Women's European Championship, which will take place on ten stadiums in nine cities across England from June 6th to July 31st.

Congress participants were informed that matches of this summer’s main tournament among women's national teams will be broadcasted in 195 territories around the world through 63 language partners. This covers a global audience of over 250 million viewers in live broadcasts. Additionally, fans have already purchased 95 thousand tickets.

The following items were also approved at the UEFA Congress:

1. The report of the UEFA President and UEFA Executive Committee, as well as the administrative report of UEFA for the season-2020/2021.

2. Financial transparency for the period 2020/2021 and budget for the financial period 2022/2023.

New members of UEFA's judicial bodies were also approved.

The next UEFA Congress will take place on April 5, 2023, in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.

It should be noted that a delegation from the UAF led by President Andriy Pavelko, a member of the UEFA Executive Committee, participated remotely in the work of the 46th UEFA Congress from Ukraine.