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The total revenue of German professional football has increased for the first time since the outbreak of the coronavirus crisis – but still remained well below the record levels of the pre-pandemic period in the 2021-22 season. In total, the 36 clubs in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 generated €4.48 billion in revenues last season. That corresponds to an increase of 10.5 per cent compared with the previous season but is still around €325 million less than before the pandemic (2018-19: €4.8 billion).
This and other economic data can be seen in the 2023 DFL Economic Report, which was published today. The report presents the cumulative key figures concerning the financial development of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 from the 2021-22 season.
Since significant restrictions on allowing spectators in the stadiums remained in place, due to the pandemic, match revenue (primarily income from ticket sales) in particular did not even come close to reaching the pre-coronavirus level in the 2021-22 season: in 2018-19 it was still around €650 million – last season it was €402 million. Other factors are also at play, including the fact that revenue from the exploitation of the German-language media rights for the current cycle (2021-22 to 2024-25) is slightly lower than in the previous four years (€1.1 billion on average instead of €1.16 billion per season previously) as it is based on the contracts concluded shortly after the beginning of the pandemic under challenging conditions.
Meanwhile, German professional football remains a major taxpayer. Last season, the 36 clubs paid €1.4 billion in taxes and duties to the financial authorities and social security institutions (2020-21: €1.3 billion). The fact that fans were gradually allowed to return to the stadiums during the course of the season is also reflected in the number of people directly and indirectly employed in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2, which has increased significantly from 26,183 to 48,372. This corresponds to an increase of 85 per cent.
Hans-Joachim Watzke, Speaker of the DFL Executive Committee, said: “In the light of these figures, it is possible to talk about a slight economic recovery, but it is not time to give the all-clear just yet, because the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 are still a long way off the pre-coronavirus level overall. The league and clubs are going to have to find ways of evolving and of maintaining the appeal of the competitions, as well as our international sporting and economic competitiveness whilst also protecting the unique characteristics of German football.”
The 2023 DFL Economic Report can be downloaded here:
