Nikolas Sargeant
Watford Football Club is offering approximately 10% of its ownership to investors and fans through an equity sale managed by investment platforms Republic and its European counterpart, Seedrs. This initiative allows investors to receive tokens, access exclusive offers, and trade these tokens in the future.
Valued at £175 million, Watford F.C. aims to raise over £17.5 million. The shares are priced at £12.44 each, with a minimum investment requirement of four shares on Seedrs and eight shares on Republic.
The funds raised will be allocated towards enhancing the club's performance, focusing on recruitment, training, and coaching for the men's first team, as well as brand development.
“We are always exploring ways to grow Watford FC to fulfill our ambitions and are proud to be the first major English football club to offer genuine ownership shares to a diverse range of investors, including fans, through digital equity,” said Watford FC Chairman and CEO Scott Duxbury. “Our goal is to return to the Premier League, and we believe this innovative and inclusive approach will help achieve it.”
Republic highlights that "this sale represents the largest digital equity offering to date, unlocking true ownership shares in an English football club."
Watford F.C., based in London, has spent over half of the last decade in the English Premier League and is currently competing in the EFL Championship. The club reported a pre-tax profit of £24.1 million for the 22/23 season. Sir Elton John serves as the club's Honorary Life-President.
