Annual Review of Football Finance

Key findings

The key findings from this year's review are shown below. You can also download our report highlights, via the download button.

For more information and insights, we recommend visiting and exploring our interactive infographic, you may also like to purchase the full report here.

 

Revenue

In 2012/13, the cumulative revenue of the ‘big five’ European leagues grew 5% to €9.8 billion, representing half of the overall size of the European football market of €19.9 billion (up 2%). Much of the revenue growth was driven by a limited number of eminent clubs, especially from commercial sources.

 

Wages and Transfers

The £125m increase in Premier League wages was not as significant an increase as anticipated, demonstrating that restraint is being shown at some clubs. We expect 2013/14 to see another rise in wages as the first payments of the new broadcast deal flow through, but this may be tempered to an extent by the new financial regulations.

 

Financing & Investment

English football continues to make an extraordinary contribution to life in the UK in terms of economic impact, investment in facilities and community activities, not to mention non-financial benefits such as its diversity, popularity, social contribution and unique global reach.

 

10 Year trends

In 2012/13, the cumulative revenue of the ‘big five’ European leagues grew 5% to €9.8 billion, representing half of the overall size of the European football market of €19.9 billion (up 2%). Much of the revenue growth was driven by a limited number of eminent clubs, especially from commercial sources.