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Annual Review of Football Finance 2018
Roar Power
The financial results of the 2016/17 football season are the most impressive ever recorded in our Annual Review of Football Finance, with the 27th edition reflecting a new era of improved profitability and financial stability for football clubs.
King of the jungle
The report delves into key developments across European football, including the growth of the English Premier League and its financial record breaking season, as well as our own insights on improving strategy and governance in the business of sport.
Get the whole picture in the full report, available to download for free. To discuss this year’s analysis and predictions, and the impact they have on your business, get in touch with the team today.
You can either run from it, or learn from it
Just want the stats? The Deloitte Annual Review of Football Finance Databook is available to purchase on the Deloitte Store. The most comprehensive source of football finance data, this 32 page book contains more than 8,000 data items covered in our annual report.
Click on a group of countries to explore the data for that region
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Revenue
'Big five' European league clubs' revenues - 2016/17 (€m)
Average revenue per club (€m)
265
143
155
104
82
Average match attendance
35,838
27,630
40,693
21,262
21,078
Stadium utilisation
96%
71%
91%
52%
67%
Note: Commercial revenue is not disaggregated into 'sponsorship' and 'other commerical' for clubs in England, Spain and Italy. Percentages may not sum due to rounding
Source: Leagues; Deloitte analysis
'Big five' European league clubs' revenues and wage costs - 2015/16 and 2016/17 (€m)
15/16
16/17
15/16
16/17
15/16
16/17
15/16
16/17
15/16
16/17
Wages/revenue ratio
63%
55%
61%
59%
49%
53%
70%
67%
69%
66%
Average club wages (€m)
152
145
74
84
75
82
67
69
51
54
Selected other European league clubs' revenues - 2016/17 (€m)
Average revenue per club (€m)
41
44
25
20
18
13
18
10
8
Wages/revenue ratio
71%
72%
59%
71%
58%
60%
70%
53%
62%
Number of clubs
18
16
18
18
12
14
10
16
16
Note: This chart includes a sample of countries ranking below fifth in terms of average club revenues for the most recent available financial results. Figures in respect of clubs in Sweden relate to the year to December 2016. Figures in respect of clubs in Türkiye, Portugal and Russia are for FY2016. Figures in respect of clubs in Denmark and Poland relate to the year to December 2017. Percentages may not sum due to rounding.
Revenue
Premier League clubs' revenues - 2014/15 - 2018/19 (£m)
Values for 2017/18 and 2018/19 are projected
14/15
15/16
16/17
17/18
18/19
Average revenue per club (£m)
168
182
228
239
250
Note: Percentages may not sum due to rounding.
Source: Deloitte analysis
Premier League and Championship clubs' average revenues - 2016/17 (£m)
Note: UCL clubs comprised Arsenal, Leicester City, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. UEL clubs comprised Manchester United, Southampton and West Ham United.
Source: Premier League; UEFA; Deloitte analysis.
Premier League clubs' revenues and wage costs - 2015/16 and 2016/17 (£m)
2015/16
2016/17
Wages/revenue ratio
63%
55%
Average club wages (£m)
114
124
Source: Deloitte analysis.
Revenue
Football League clubs' revenues - 2015/16 and 2016/17 (£m)
15/16
16/17
Championship
23.1
30.0
League 1
5.7
6.1
League 2
3.6
3.8
Source: Deloitte analysis.
Football League clubs' revenues and wage costs - 2015/16 and 2016/17 (£m)
Championship
League 1
League 2
Wages/revenue ratio
100%
99%
83%
84%
70%
71%
Average club wages (£m)
23.1
29.7
4.7
5.1
2.5
2.7
Source: Deloitte analysis.
Premier League and Football League clubs' player transfer payments - 2015/16 (£m)
Note: The arrows represent the flow of payments, with players moving in the opposite way. The estimated amount of fees in respect of the transfer of player registrations refer to amounts committed in 2016/17, rather than actual cashflows. The sources for the amounts in the chart relate to periods that are not necessarily coterminous.
Source: Premier League; Football League; Deloitte analysis.
For more detailed analysis please download the report for free
Previous editions
Annual Review of Football Finance 2017 - Ahead of the curve
Annual Review of Football Finance 2016 - Reboot
Annual Review of Football Finance 2015 - Revolution
Annual Review of Football Finance 2014 - A premium blend
Annual Review of Football Finance 2013 - Turn on, tune in, turnover
Annual Review of Football Finance 2012 - New rules, narrow margins
Annual Review of Football Finance 2011 - Pressure for change
Annual Review of Football Finance 2010 - National interest
Previous editions of the Report and Databook are also available on the Deloitte Store.
Recommendations
Deloitte Football Money League 2018
Rising Stars
Annual Review of Football Finance 2017
Ahead of the curve