German pro football tops €6bn revenue for first time

German professional football broke through the €6 billion revenue mark for the first time in the 2024/25 season, with the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 generating a combined €6.33 billion, according to the DFL Economic Report 24/25. The figure is up €461.2 million year-on-year – a 7.9 per cent rise – and helped deliver an operating profit of €271.5 million across the 36 clubs, the Deutsche Fussball Liga (DFL) said as it presented the report at its New Year’s reception. The Bundesliga’s 18 clubs generated €5.12 billion, topping €5 billion for the first time and beating the previous season’s record by €320.8 million (up 6.7 per cent).Bundesliga 2 revenues rose 13.1 per cent to €1.21 billion, up €140.4 million, after the second tier passed €1 billion collectively for the first time in 2023/24. League President Hans-Joachim Watzke commented: “Football brings people together across all differences and boundaries, creating shared experiences. "The economic growth of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 – with renewed record revenues – also has a positive societal effect."This is shown by the sum of taxes and duties as well as the number of jobs. In challenging times, German professional football sends strong signals. We can therefore approach the World Cup year 2026 with confidence.” Profitability also improved with 13 top-flight clubs and 15 second-division clubs recorded a profit, up from nine and eight respectively the previous year.The DFL said Bundesliga equity climbed to €2.17 billion, moving beyond €2 billion for the first time, with all 18 clubs reporting positive equity. Away from club balance sheets, the DFL report emphasised the sport’s wider economic footprint. Taxes and duties paid rose to €1.69 billion (from €1.66 billion), while ticket sales hit a record 20.98 million (from 20.74 million).Total direct and indirect employment linked to clubs and subsidiaries reached 64,122 – up 2,395 (3.9 per cent) on the previous season. DFL CEO Steffen Merkel also pointed to the central importance of broadcast income, noting that almost “every third euro” of club income comes from centrally marketed media revenues.