German Football Clubs Generate Record Revenues For 2023-24 Season

The German football league’s governing body, DFL, has unveiled its financial report for the 2023-24 season, showcasing robust year-on-year (YoY) growth in turnover across its 36 member clubs.

The collective revenue reached €5.87 billion (AUD$10.17 billion), representing a 12% increase compared to the 2022-23 season.

Notably, the 18 teams competing in the second-tier, 2. Bundesliga, collectively surpassed the €1 billion (AUD$1.73 billion) threshold for the first time, a significant development attributed to the presence of prominent clubs such as Hertha Berlin and FC Schalke, both of which were relegated last season.

For the Bundesliga, which generated €4.8 billion (AUD$8.32 billion), media rights constituted a substantial portion of the revenue, accounting for €1.5 billion (AUD$2.60 billion), approximately 32% of the total earnings.

Sponsorship revenue and player transfers each contributed 21% to the overall figure, translating to €1 billion (AUD$1.73 billion) each.

The previous season’s revenue mix remained relatively stable, albeit with some minor shifts; media rights income maintained consistency at €1.5 billion (AUD$2.60 billion) but saw its share of total revenue decrease from 34% to 30%.

In a joint statement on the leagues’ record revenues, DFL chief executives, Marx Lenz and Steffen Merkel, said: “The overall picture of German professional football is one that was also characterized by positive trends over the past season. For the first time since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, all 18 Bundesliga clubs reported positive equity again.”

“The same applies to 14 of the 18 second division clubs.

“In view of the international competitive situation, there are numerous challenges here.

“The fact that German clubs operate rationally and deliberately limit the potential influence of external investors with the 50+1 rule and corresponding club structures should not be a competitive disadvantage.

“We are therefore called upon to find our own creative ways to achieve sustainable growth – and at the same time to ensure fair and transparent competitive conditions with our partners in European football.

“These are also dimensions that do not contradict each other, but belong together,” they said.

The most notable change YoY occurred in sponsorship revenue, which dipped from 24% to 21%, while transfer earnings surged by over €400 million (AUD$693 million), reaching €617 million (AUD$1 billion), highlighting the increasing impact of the transfer market on club finances.

In addition to revenue exceeding €5 billion (AUD$8.66 billion) for only the second consecutive season, the Bundesliga also achieved record highs in matchday attendance, club employment figures, and tax contributions.

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