Deloitte's annual review of football finance 2024

Deloitte’s annual review of football finance 2024

BOLSTERED BY THE 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP, REVENUE IN THE EUROPEAN FOOTBALL MARKET GREW BY 16% IN THE 2022/23 SEASON TO €35.3 BILLION.

The 2022/23 season proved to be a story of momentum shifts, in the first season since 2018/19 unmarred by COVID-19 effects, with a pause halfway through the club season for international play.

While the overall market grew to €35.3billion, the ‘big five’ leagues continued to proportionately lead the way, contributing €19.6 billion (56%).

The start of the Premier League’s new international broadcast cycle contributed to an 11% increase in the average revenue of English top-flight clubs, which surpassed over £300m for the first time. With the full return of fans to stadia in Germany and Italy, Bundesliga and Serie A clubs recorded the largest total percentage growth over the previous season (22% each).

The fundamental importance of a live event, to create magic moments for fans, remains a crucial component of growth and sustainability in the game and is the principle upon which billions of euros have been invested across the industry. Conjuring these moments requires competition to be at the heart of the game, with leagues appropriately governed to ensure a strong level of contest, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

The unification of stakeholders, and alignment of long-term goals, will be crucial for future development. Continued uncertainties at the league level risk diverting investment elsewhere – whether rival clubs, leagues, sports or even other industries – as reputational risk and good governance remains paramount to investor interest.