The Deloitte Sports Business report for 2026 states that the 2024/25 season was one of transformation and expansion, with both UEFA and FIFA launching refreshed competitions for their flagship men’s club competitions. These saw more clubs compete for larger prize pots, with distributions for participating clubs bolstering otherwise plateauing broadcast revenues.
These changes underpinned a 6% strengthening of the European
football market, which surpassed €40 billion for the first time in 2024/25. The
‘big five’ leagues’ relative contribution to this total remained consistent
with the prior season, at 54% (€22 billion).
Football cannot rely on more of the same to deliver
sustainable growth, though. An increasingly saturated market is not good for
players nor fans, and the Game is in danger of prioritising short-term gain
over longer-term prosperity.
The complex trajectory of media rights values, coupled with
the ongoing shift towards revenue-linked spending regulation, means it is more
important than ever that organic growth and innovation is prioritised by
rightsholders, whether they be governing bodies, leagues or clubs.
Premier League
The strong performances of some English clubs in UEFA’s
expanded and restructured competitions fuelled an 8% increase in Premier League
clubs’ aggregate revenue in 2024/25, to £6.8 billion.
In 2024/25, Premier League clubs generated £6.8 billion in
revenue, an 8% (£490m) increase on the previous season (£6.3 billion). The ‘big
six’ clubs reported average revenue growth of 6% compared to 8% among the
remaining consistent clubs, with many capitalising on improved on-pitch
performances and the enhancing commercial appeal of English football.
Season-to-season club mix contributed a £95m revenue uplift.
Commercial revenue increased by £278m (13%), more than any
other revenue stream, to £2.4 billion. The ‘big six’ clubs remained prominent
contributors to this total, accounting for almost three-quarters (73%) of
clubs’ collective commercial revenue.
Matchday revenue rose by £133m (15%) in 2024/25 to surpass
£1 billion for the first time. Notably, the three clubs that reported matchday
revenue growth exceeding £20m (Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham
Hotspur) all reached at least the Semi Final of a UEFA club competition, with
the latter two competing in an all-English Europa League Final. Revenue growth
across the league was further supported by incremental pricing of enhanced fan
experiences within stadia, as well as what now appear to be consistent
season-on-season ticket price increases.
Broadcast revenue of Premier League clubs saw a marginal
year-on-year increase of 2% (£80m) to £3.4 billion in 2024/25, a season that
marked the final year of a three-year rights cycle. Growth was therefore
primarily driven by increased distributions to high-performing English clubs
participating in UEFA’s expanded and restructured competitions, which totalled
£474m in 2024/25 (up 22%).
The Championship
EFL Championship clubs’ revenue in 2024/25 declined
slightly, with improved broadcast agreements partially mitigating reductions in
clubs’ commercial revenue
Championship clubs’ revenue totalled £942m in 2024/25, down
£16m (2%) on the prior season. This
marked the first season-on-season decline in aggregate revenue since the COVID
pandemic, reversing the trend of two years of annual growth.
The six clubs promoted or relegated-into the Championship
for 2024/25 reported just £5m more revenue than those promoted or relegated-out
at the end of 2023/24, compared to a £207m differential in the prior season.
Parachute payments continued to have a marked impact on the
financial profile of the Championship. The cessation of these for two clubs,
Norwich City and Watford, resulted in season-on-season reductions exceeding
£30m for both, compared to a £3m average improvement among the other 16
consistent clubs.
Despite the drop in parachute payment receipts down c.£35m
to c.£185m, broadcast revenue was the only revenue stream that grew
year-on-year, up 3% on 2023/24 at £461m. This uplift was driven by the launch
of the EFL’s domestic broadcast agreement with Sky Sports, worth a reported
£935m over the five-year period, as well as new international agreements with
Pitch International and Relevent involving reported-record minimum guarantees.
There was a 10% (£29m) reduction in commercial revenue in 2024/25, to £273m. The impact of changing club mix caused a £42m decline, somewhat mitigated by a £12m increase among consistent clubs.
Promoted clubs
Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City earned promotion
to the Premier League for the 2026/27 season. Following their return to the
top-flight after a 25-year absence, Coventry City can expect a revenue uplift
of at least £210m across the next three seasons, based on projected increases
in matchday, broadcast and commercial revenue. The other club that secured
automatic promotion, Ipswich Town, may anticipate a minimum boost of £170m –
this figure is comparatively lower as they were in receipt of parachute
payments during the 2025/26 season, following their relegation from the Premier
League in 2024/25.
These figures could rise to £365m and £325m respectively,
should both clubs avoid relegation after their first season in the Premier
League. Amidst the controversy surrounding this year’s play-offs, Hull City
ultimately defeated Middlesbrough in the final at Wembley to secure the final
promotion place. As they were not in receipt of parachute payments during the
2025/26 season, they should expect to see uplifts similar to the Sky Blues.
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