What PFC Botev Plovdiv does

PFC Botev Plovdiv (legal name ПФК „Ботев" АД) is a privately held Bulgarian professional football club founded in 1912, making it the oldest football club in Bulgaria. It competes in the Bulgarian First League and is headquartered at Hristo Botev Stadium in Plovdiv, the country's newest 18,600-seat stadium opened in 2023, with the Nikola Shterev-Starika Football Complex serving as its training ground. The club operates a full pyramid including a first team, Botev II reserve side, a youth academy with age groups from U9 upward including girls' and women's teams, and a senior women's section.

The business generates revenue across four main streams: (i) matchday income from tickets sold via ticket.kolezha.bg, VIP skybox rentals (7–18 seats, available per match, per season, or non-match day), and on-site hospitality; (ii) sponsorship and advertising, including stadium LED screens, static vinyls, roll banners, scoreboard and digital inventory, with Macron as kit partner and WINBET as principal betting partner, plus a long tail of ~25 minor commercial partners; (iii) merchandise sales of kits (€55), training apparel (€35) and commemorative items via a physical fan shop and the online store store.botevplovdiv.bg; and (iv) international player transfers and academy development, exemplified by the June 2026 sale of goalkeeper Mariyan Boev to KRC Genk in Belgium. Distribution is hybrid: ticketing and sponsorship rely on direct-to-consumer digital channels plus a direct B2B sales motion ([email protected]), while the merchandise store supports international shipping.

The club's commercial moat rests on a 113+ year heritage, a 100,000+ multi-generational fanbase, modern stadium infrastructure, and a functioning youth-to-Europe export pipeline. There are no disclosed financials, no external PE/VC investors, and no AI/ML technology stack referenced in the available data.

Name

PFC Botev Plovdiv

Legal name

ПФК „Ботев" АД

Website

https://botevplovdiv.bg

Company type

Private

Founded year

1912

Operating status

Operating

Short description

PFC Botev Plovdiv is Bulgaria's oldest professional football club (founded 1912), competing in the Bulgarian First League from a new 18,600-seat stadium in Plovdiv, generating revenue from matchday, sponsorship, merchandise, and academy player transfers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Football Club

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Spectator Sports (7112), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Association Football (Soccer) Leagues (MPAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Team Sports Matches (Club & National) (MPAGAMAB), Arena & Stadium Operations (Large-Capacity Venues) (MPAGALAA), Sports Events & Match Tickets (THAJAFAE)

Keywords

• Professional football club
• Matchday ticketing
• Football merchandise
• Stadium advertising
• Youth football academy

Headquarters

HQ city

Plovdiv

HQ country

Bulgaria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Matchday Revenue: Revenue generated from ticket sales for home matches at Hristo Botev Stadium (capacity 18,600) and the Nikola Shterev - Starika Football Complex. Also includes VIP skybox rentals and hospitality services offered on match days and non-match days.
2. Sponsorship & Advertising: The club generates sponsorship revenue through a broad portfolio of marketing and advertising opportunities including stadium advertising (LED screens, static vinyls, roll banners, scoreboard, branding zones), digital advertising on the club website and social media channels, matchday sponsorship packages with skybox access, and club card programs targeting fans and business partners.
3. Merchandise Sales: Revenue from the sale of official club merchandise including kits, training apparel, and commemorative items through the online store (store.botevplovdiv.bg) and the physical fan shop at the stadium. Official kit priced at 55 EUR, training shirt at 35 EUR, and special edition items.
4. International Transfers & Player Development: Revenue from transfers of academy-developed players to international clubs. Notable recent transfer: goalkeeper Mariyan Boev moved to Belgian club Genk. The club operates a youth academy and B team (Botev II) to develop and sell talent.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

PFC Botev Plovdiv operates a professional men's football club competing in Bulgarian football leagues, anchored at the Hristo Botev Stadium in Plovdiv. The club generates revenue from matchday ticket sales, official merchandise, sponsorship and stadium advertising packages, VIP skybox hospitality, and the sale of academy-developed players to international clubs.

Product overview

PFC Botev Plovdiv operates as a professional football club with a comprehensive portfolio of products and services centered around football operations, stadium facilities, and commercial offerings. The core product is the football club competing in Bulgarian leagues, supported by the modern Hristo Botev Stadium (opened 2023, 18,600 capacity) and Nikola Shterev-Starika training complex. Commercial offerings include match tickets (via external platform Kolezha), official merchandise through the fan shop, VIP Skyboxes for hospitality, and stadium advertising packages. The club also offers a Business Club membership for corporate partners and maintains a Youth Academy for player development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hristo Botev Stadium Home stadium and matchday venue for the first team with 18,600-seat capacity, hosting league fixtures and selected friendly matches.
• Nikola Shterev - Starika Football Complex

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MacroncoreOthersItalian sports equipment conglomerate, a leading company in sports apparel for over 50 years. Macron created the official kit for the 23/24 season inspired by the last season played at the Kolezha stadium before its full reconstruction. Macron is the technical sponsor providing all playing and training equipment.
• WINBETcoreOthersOne of the leading betting companies in Bulgaria, with operations also in Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Tanzania, and Belarus. WINBET serves as the main betting partner of the club.
• LazariniminorOthersFashion brand founded in 1995 in Plovdiv. Over two decades, Lazarini has established itself as a leading men's fashion brand with thousands of satisfied customers and 11 retail locations across Bulgaria.
• Party DrinksminorOthersParty Drinks EOOD has been producing a wide range of carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks and table water for nearly 30 years. Products are made using modern technology and high-quality raw materials.
• HACK Drinks OODminorOthersBulgarian company established in 2023 as an innovative startup project. Trademark HACK features a specific brand identity with modern, creative, and exclusive vision for accessible products created for fans and followers of KRISKATA & KRISKATA PRODUCTIONS.
• Petko Angelov BG EOODminorOthersLeading transport company in Bulgaria providing land transport services within the European Union and Turkey. Owns a 30,000 m2 garage area, automotive service, annual technical inspection station, car wash, and 800 m2 repair halls with specialized equipment.
• Angels Night FoundationminorOthersFoundation supporting people in need by building a fundraising system for charitable campaigns accessible to all legal entities and individuals. One of its main goals is to support civil society in introducing good practices for treating oncological, severe autoimmune, and other life-threatening diseases.
• Radioplay MediaminorOthersRadioplay Media encompasses BG Radio, Radio 1, Radio 1 Rock, Radio Energy, Radio Veronica, Radio Nova, Radio Nova News, Avto Radio, and CITY Radio & TV. Over 3 million monthly listeners across 9 radio stations, 1 music TV channel, and 1 mobile app.
• Right PackminorOthersPrinting company with over 15 years of experience combined with the latest industry technologies, continuously developing know-how and hundreds of satisfied clients worldwide.
• Avocado RestaurantminorOthersRestaurant offering stylish interior, two indoor halls, and an outdoor garden. Menu features avocado-themed dishes, European cuisine specialties, selected Bulgarian dishes, and wines from proven producers at attractive prices.
• KalasiminorOthersCompany offering high-quality water filtration and purification systems applicable in homes, businesses, and administrative environments. Focus on fast customer service, continuous improvement of products and services, and research for new innovative products.
• COSORIminorOthersCompany creating innovative kitchen appliances for home cooks worldwide. Fans receive 10% discount on products at www.cosori.bg with promo code botev1912.
• WATCH24minorOthersStore for authentic and original watches, official representative, distributor and importer of leading brands in the watch industry. Located in Plovdiv at Georgi Kondolov St. 1, and online at www.watch24.bg.
• SARBUL 2016 OODminorOthersOfficial importer and distributor of the full range of SARMAK MAKINA air compressors in Bulgaria since 2016. Offers products and services including high-quality screw compressors, engineering and technical consulting, non-warranty machine servicing, and original spare parts.
• Hills Language SchoolminorOthersBest conditions for studying English in Plovdiv for children between 5 and 18 years old. Part of the Cambridge English Qualifications family. Club card holders receive 5% discount on language course prices.
• Beauty Relax LineminorOthersHealth and beauty center offering salt therapy in a controlled environment using the most modern technologies that recreate the microclimate of natural salt caves. Club card holders receive between 10% and 30% discount.
• Eat&GominorOthersSandwich and confectionery brand created in 2015 offering fresh and tasty food 'on the go.' Successfully established on the Bulgarian market with continuously controlled production processes and strict incoming quality control of raw materials.
• Maks StilminorOthersCompany with 15 years in the tile import market, importing and distributing tiles, sanitary ware, and mixers from Italy, Spain, and Poland. Club card holders receive 15% discount.
• Moyata KozmetikaminorOthersOnline store offering a variety of the most renowned cosmetic products worldwide, with a rich assortment of men's products. Club card holders benefit from preferential access.
• TP-LinkminorOthersGlobal provider of network devices and accessories founded in 1996. According to IDC market research, TP-Link is the market leader in WLAN equipment, with distribution in more than 170 countries and regions, serving more than 1.7 billion customers worldwide.
• Don ApetitminorOthersOne of the most popular fast food places in Plovdiv. Demonstrated dedication by providing food for Botev players immediately after home matches throughout the season as they pursued the Cup title.
• PrimorskominorOthersTraditional Bulgarian seaside resort town, now official tourism partner of Botev. Offers sandy beaches, cultural events, and a variety of campaigns and games for Botev fans during the summer season.
• Mandra SigmenminorOthersCompany dedicated to preserving the authentic taste of milk, cheese, and yellow cheese from the past. All products are 100% natural and contain no additives. Available in 3 company stores in Plovdiv.
• Yug Market EADminorOthersOne of the first investment intermediaries with a full license in Bulgaria, providing access to a wide range of investment services and optimal number of markets and financial instruments. Yug Market Trader platform enables easy access to Bulgarian Stock Exchange financial instruments.
• Office 21minorOthersNewest partner of Botev. The company offers office solutions meeting customer needs related to copying equipment and all other office product and service components.
• Print Studio 21minorOthersOne of the largest and most developed printing companies in Bulgaria, focused on providing comprehensive visual solutions for business in outdoor and print advertising, branding, and interior solutions for commercial spaces, offices, hotels, and venues.
• FC BalkaniminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean football club that served as Botev Plovdiv's opponent in a friendly match on June 27, 2026 at Hristo Botev Stadium. Botev won 2:0 in front of over 1,000 spectators.
• GenkminorOthersBelgian football club Genk signed goalkeeper Mariyan Boev (born 2008), a product of Botev Plovdiv's academy, in a prestigious transfer in June 2026. Genk is described as one of the most established European clubs for the development of young goalkeepers.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• PFC CSKA Sofia: One of Bulgaria's largest and most historic football clubs, competing in the Bulgarian First League. Comparable in terms of historical brand, fanbase scale, and commercial sponsorship model, though based in Sofia rather than Plovdiv.
• PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv 1936: The other Plovdiv-based professional football club, sharing the same city and competing in the Bulgarian First League. Most direct geographic competitor with overlap in local fanbase and sponsorship market.
• PFC CSKA 1948 Sofia: Bulgarian First League competitor with similar revenue model (matchday + sponsorship + player development). Direct league rival competing for the same talent pool and sponsor budgets.
• FC Arda Kardzhali: Bulgarian First League club with a comparable operating profile — modern infrastructure, regional fanbase, and similar commercial revenue mix. Direct domestic competitor for talent and sponsors.
• PFC Ludogorets Razgrad: Bulgarian First League club and dominant force in Bulgarian football for the past decade. Direct domestic league competitor with similar matchday, sponsorship, and academy revenue model — but on a materially larger scale.
• PFC Levski Sofia: Historic Bulgarian football club and direct domestic league rival. Comparable in fanbase scale, historic brand heritage, and reliance on matchday + sponsorship + academy revenue streams.

Broad incumbents

• PAOK FC: Greek Super League club with comparable historical brand strength, passionate regional fanbase, and similar commercial revenue mix. Useful regional benchmark for hospitality and sponsorship revenue growth.
• Olympiacos FC: Greek Super League dominant club with a similar business model (matchday, sponsorship, academy transfers) but operating at a much larger scale in a more developed football market. Benchmark for regional Southeast European football commercial operations.

Regional players

• FK Crvena zvezda: Serbian SuperLiga club in a neighboring Balkan market with comparable business model and fanbase scale. Useful regional comparable for understanding Southeastern European football economics.
• Ferencvárosi TC: Hungarian top-flight club with similar historic brand strength and academy-driven revenue model. Comparable as a regional Central/Southeastern European benchmark for academy-to-Europe player transfer economics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC3DOTBp1nKu1z77KoDOH9YA
• Facebookfacebook.com/Botev.Plovdiv
• Instagraminstagram.com/botevplovdiv
• TikToktiktok.com/@botevplovdivofficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pfc-botev-plovdiv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PFC Botev Plovdiv