3 days ago
Deloitte report: European football revenue grows to €38 billion
Liverpool players celebrate on the open-top bus during the Premier League winners parade in Liverpool. Danny Lawson/PA Wire/dpa
The European football market has grown by another 8% to a record €38 billion (€43.5 billion) in the 2023-24 season, according to the Annual Review of Football Finance published on Thursday by professional services company Deloitte.
England's Premier League leads the way again as the top five leagues in Europe contributed €20.4 billion, a rise by 4%, the other being Germany's Bundesliga, Italy's Serie A, La Liga in Spain and Ligue 1 in France.
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The 96 clubs achieved an operating profit the second straight season, of €600 million, according to the report which does not include transfer income.
Deloitte said that additional commercial revue was the main driver, which in England reached €2 billion for the first time and €8 billion across the five leagues.
Broadcast rights revenue remained the biggest source with €9.4 billion.
England led the way again with €7.354 billion in total revenue, a rise of 8%, far ahead of Germany (€3.797 billion) and Spain (3.764 billion).
The Bundesliga figure was a 1% decline from 2022-23, as matchday and commercial revenue went down 2% each while broadcast rights income rose 1%.
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Deloitte named as the main reason for the drop the relegation of Schalke and Hertha Berlin, clubs with big stadiums and fan bases.
Stefan Ludwig, head of Deloitte's Sport Business Group in Germany, said he expects the big five leagues to top €21 billion in 2024-25, but then stagnation because done broadcast deals show that none of the leagues managed a significant increase.
In general, he added: "The pressure on clubs is increasing. They have to generate additional income and at the same time cope with rising costs in order to remain competitive."
