Deloitte study: European football achieves record revenue

European football leagues and associations have reached an unprecedented financial milestone, generating a record revenue of 40.2 billion euros in the 2024/2025 season, according to Deloitte's Annual Review of Football Finance.

This figure signifies a 6% increase compared to the previous season and marks the first time the collective revenue has surpassed the 40 billion euro mark. The financial success was significantly driven by the top five European leagues: England, Germany, Spain, Italy, and France, which collectively contributed 21.6 billion euros to the overall European market earnings. These revenues were derived from various sources, including media rights (television and streaming), distributions from European club competitions like the Champions League, advertising, merchandising, licensing deals, and ticket sales. Notably, transfer fees were not included in these calculations.

The German Bundesliga also experienced a record-breaking season, with its revenue climbing by 12% to 4.3 billion euros. The league achieved its best-ever operating result, generating 400 million euros. Stefan Ludwig, head of Deloitte's German Sports Business Group, highlighted the Bundesliga's strengthened position as one of Europe's most financially stable leagues. He attributed this stability to strong fan bases, evidenced by high attendance figures, which provide a significant competitive advantage and a solid foundation for positive economic development.

In terms of individual league performance, England's Premier League clubs remained the highest earners, with their total revenue growing by 8% to 8.1 billion euros, primarily driven by media revenues amounting to 4.0 billion euros. Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A also reported record revenues of 4.1 billion euros and 3 billion euros, respectively, largely propelled by major clubs like Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Juventus, Inter, and AC Milan. The only exception among the major leagues was France's Ligue 1, which saw a decline in revenue, falling from 2.6 billion euros to 2.2 billion euros.

Looking ahead, the Deloitte study suggests that the growth trajectory for European football's revenue might slow down or stabilize in the coming years. The report also touches upon potential impacts from the expansion of UEFA and FIFA competitions, indicating a dynamic future for the sport's financial landscape.