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German professional football has emerged from the COVID crisis with record figures. In the 2022-23 season, the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 exceeded the five-billion-euro mark in revenue for the first time ever. The total revenue of €5.24 billion is 9% higher than the previous record from the 2018-19 season (€4.8 billion). These and other key details can be found in the 2024 DFL Economic Report published today, which summarises and analyses the cumulative key figures on the financial performance of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 over the course of the 2022-23 season.
Many clubs are still feeling the effects of the loss in revenue during the pandemic. However, the record turnover also goes hand-in-hand with increasing recovery from the economic consequences of the COVID-19-pandemic and a return to profitability. Around two-thirds of the clubs and limited companies were in the black in the 2022-23 season, a year-on-year increase from 18 to 23. Public funds at federal, state and local level are also benefiting from the recovery in professional football. A record figure of more than €1.6 billion in taxes and duties were paid by the 36 clubs in the 2022-23 season. In total, the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 have contributed more than €12.6 billion in taxes and duties over the past ten years.
More spectators than ever before
55,001 people were employed by the two leagues in the 2022-23 season. During the pandemic, this figure had fallen temporarily to roughly 26,000 (2020-21), due to Bundesliga matches being played without or in front of a limited number of fans in the stadiums, and further restrictions on professional football. However, the number is now back to pre-COVID levels, highlighting the importance of professional football as an employer. In terms of club revenue, the Bundesliga reinforced its position in second place among the top European leagues, after the English Premier League.
Having already set a spectator record in the reporting period, the trend continues for the current 2023-24 season. In the first half of the season, some 10.28 million tickets were sold for German professional football – an all-time high.
Hans-Joachim Watzke, Speaker of the DFL Executive Committee and Chairman of the DFL Supervisory Board: “Not only do the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 offer outstanding sport, unforgettable moments and excitement, they also are and will remain a successful industry. Professional football, like many other industries, is still struggling with the financial consequences of the pandemic-related loss of revenue – but the trend is clearly moving upwards and back into the profit zone.”
DFL CEO Marc Lenz: “With a personnel cost ratio below 50% and larger investments in youth academies, German clubs are sustainable and much healthier financially than other top European leagues. Sporting success and attractive leagues must remain achievable with economic efficiency – as the future, healthy standard in Europe. Therefore, in addition to strong central marketing, effective financial and ownership rules in the international and national scope remain crucial for our German model.”
DFL CEO Steffen Merkel: “A record amount of taxes and duties, 55,001 people employed and the highest ticket sales in history: the key figures for the 2022-23 season speak for themselves, not just in terms of revenue and once again document the social importance and responsibility of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2. Despite times of crisis, German professional football has retained its popularity and appeal.”
