The key financial indicators from the 2024-25 season confirm the image of a very healthy, rationally-managed professional football structure in Germany. Never before have total revenues, spectator numbers, employment rates, and taxes and duties paid been so high. The majority of the 36 clubs and corporations in professional football have thus strengthened their economic foundation.
German professional football remains a fan and spectator magnet, with rationally-managed clubs and limited companies of significant overall economic and social importance. This is underlined by the figures in the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga Economic Report 24-25, which is based on the financial statements of the 36 clubs in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 from the 2024-25 season.
Key trends in detail:
Professional football is growing
With €6.33 billion, the 36 clubs achieved the highest collective revenue in history. They exceeded the previous record of €5.87 billion from the 2023-24 season by 7.9 per cent.
Bundesliga 2 confirms its record figures
For the second consecutive time, Bundesliga 2 contributed more than €1 billion in total revenue to the overall result of German licensed football. The record sum from the previous year was further increased by €140.4 million to €1.21 billion – a growth of 13.1 per cent.
Professional football creates value and jobs
The Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 create jobs. Encouragingly, the number of people finding paid employment directly and indirectly related to the game has risen again. With more than 64,000 people, there are more individuals working in and around professional football than ever before. The total amount of taxes and duties also rose again, reaching a record number of €1.69 billion. Over the past ten seasons, taxes and contributions from professional football have totaled more than €14 billion.
Revenue mix
(€ million)
Match revenue
Contribution to total revenue 11.69%
Advertising
Contribution to total revenue 22.37%
Media revenue
(all competitions)
Contribution to total revenue 33.24%
Transfers
Contribution to total revenue 17.03%
Merchandising
Contribution to total revenue 5.57%
Other
Contribution to total revenue 10.09%
Total
5,122.7
MATCH REVENUE Primarily income from ticket sales for matches in national and international competitions
ADVERTISING Primarily income from contracts with main sponsors and shirt sponsors as well as stadium and club rights
MEDIA REVENUE Primarily revenue from the marketing of media rights to matches in national (including the DFB Cup) and international competitions, as well as revenue from other joint marketing such as commercial partnerships
TRANSFERS Revenue from all transfer and training compensation fees
MERCHANDISING Income from merchandising
OTHER TAKINGS Revenue from the transfer of utilisation rights, public catering, letting and leasing, membership fees and other items
Clubs strengthen their economic foundation
Significantly more clubs than in the previous year reported positive results and growing equity. In total, 13 Bundesliga and 15 Bundesliga 2 clubs achieved profits – compared to nine and eight respectively the previous year. On an EBITDA basis – before interest, taxes, and depreciation – all 18 clubs and corporations in the Bundesliga and 16 of the 18 clubs and corporations in Bundesliga 2 closed with a positive balance. Equity in the Bundesliga exceeded €2 billion for the first time, reaching €2.17 billion. All 18 clubs reported positive equity.
German professional football operates responsibly
The proportion of the clubs’ total expenditure accounted for payroll costs for match operations remains low. If the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 are considered together, this share is 33 per cent. This is particularly remarkable in an international comparison.
In the overall view, professional football achieved the highest profit in its history: approximately €271 million. Remarkably, compared to the figures from the previous season, this economic success was achieved despite a slight decline in transfer revenues – the revenue mix remains very healthy. On this basis, the clubs and corporations were able to spend slightly more on player transfers than they earned.
Full stadiums remain a hallmark of German football
The number of tickets sold by the 36 professional clubs reached an all-time high in the 2024-25 season, totaling 20,983,964. This surpassed the record from the previous season (20,737,276).
German professional football is growing significantly faster than the German economy overall, contributing not only emotionally but also economically in a highly positive way to life in this country.
Revenue mix
(€ million)
Match revenue
Contribution to total revenue 22.62%
Advertising
Contribution to total revenue 17.92%
Media revenue
(all competitions)
Contribution to total revenue 23.85%
Transfers
Contribution to total revenue 13.13%
Merchandising
Contribution to total revenue 7.98%
Other
Contribution to total revenue 14.49%
Total
1,208.5
MATCH REVENUE Primarily income from ticket sales for matches in national and international competitions
ADVERTISING Primarily income from contracts with main sponsors and shirt sponsors as well as stadium and club rights
MEDIA REVENUE Primarily revenue from the marketing of media rights to matches in national (including the DFB Cup) and international competitions, as well as revenue from other joint marketing such as commercial partnerships
TRANSFERS Revenue from all transfer and training compensation fees
MERCHANDISING Income from merchandising
OTHER TAKINGS Revenue from the transfer of utilisation rights, public catering, letting and leasing, membership fees and other items
