How Como became a Champions League team: Unique model, ownership power, Cesc Fabregas lead impressive rise — SkimNews
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- Como debut in the Champions League league phase Thursday against RB Leipzig at Stadio Sinigaglia, promoted from the lower divisions after Indonesian conglomerate Djarum Group's 2019 takeover and qualifying in their second Serie A season.
- Mirwan Suwarso's so-called 'Disney model' treats Lake Como itself as the theme park, building merchandising, hospitality, fashion, and retail revenue divisions to sustain a club whose stadium holds only about 12,000.
- Cesc Fabregas, the former Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea and Spain midfielder who retired at Como in 2022-23, led the club to Serie A promotion as caretaker, then 10th place and finally a fourth-place Champions League finish last season.
- The Hartono brothers' Djarum Group bought Como in 2019 through London-based SENT Entertainment; the combined net worth was approximately $48 billion according to Forbes, and Michael Hartono passed away earlier this year.
- Como signed Moise Kean from Fiorentina for around $45 million this summer and permanently re-signed Nico Paz from Real Madrid for approximately €60 million, with Real holding the right to buy him back in 2027 for €80 million.
- Suwarso and club directors gave up their seats for the Champions League opener to supporters born in 1950 or earlier, fans who 'have followed Como through every division and every era.'
Why it matters: Como's 'Disney model' proves a 12,000-capacity club can pursue Champions League football through diversified lifestyle revenue rather than TV income — and the Nico Paz deal locks in a guaranteed €20 million profit via Real Madrid's 2027 buyback regardless of on-pitch outcomes. Suwarso has openly acknowledged Fabregas will eventually leave, meaning the institutional model must outlast any single manager to justify the owners' investment.
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