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Annual Review of Football Finance 2019
World in motion
The 28th edition of our report reflects the continued revenue growth of English Football’s Premier League and Football League and their contribution to overall revenues in the European football market reaching record levels in the 2017/18 football season.
You’ve got to hold and give
This edition chronicles the ever fluid football finance landscape, the Championship clubs’ gambling to reach the top and the strenuous and creative efforts of other European football leagues to narrow the gap to the Premier League. It also includes our own insights into 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.
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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. It is the most comprehensive source of football finance data currently available.
Football Intelligence Tool
Deloitte’s Football Intelligence Tool (FIT) is a digital solution used by clubs, investors, industry experts and the media to quickly and reliably interrogate the finances of the European football market.
FIT gives you access to over 20 years of data contained within the Annual Review of Football Finance. If you would like to find out more about the tool and to book your free, contact us for a personalised demonstration.
Click on a group of countries to explore the data for that region
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Revenue
'Big five' European league clubs' revenues - 2017/18 (€m)
Average revenue per club (€m)
272
176
154
111
85
Average match attendance
38,495
43,879
26,771
23,848
22,575
Stadium utilisation
96%
90%
70%
59%
72%
Note: Commercial revenue is not disaggregated into 'sponsorship' and 'other commerical' for clubs in England, Spain and Italy.
Source: Leagues; Deloitte analysis
'Big five' European league clubs' revenues and wage costs - 2016/17 and 2017/18 (€m)
16/17
17/18
16/17
17/18
16/17
17/18
16/17
17/18
16/17
17/18
Wages/revenue ratio
55%
59%
53%
53%
59%
66%
68%
66%
66%
75%
Average club wages (€m)
145
161
82
93
85
102
70
74
54
63
Selected other European league clubs' revenues - 2017/18 (€m)
Average revenue per club (€m)
51
41
27
24
19
13
18
9
9
8
Wages/revenue ratio
72%
76%
58%
68%
61%
64%
68%
54%
69%
76%
Number of clubs
16
18
18
18
12
14
10
16
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 2017. Figures in respect of clubs in Turkey, Portugal and Russia are for FY2017. Figures in respect of clubs in Denmark and Poland relate to the year to December 2018.
Revenue
Premier League clubs' revenues - 2015/16 - 2019/20 (£m)
Values for 2018/19 and 2019/20 are projected
15/16
16/17
17/18
18/19
19/20
Average revenue per club (£m)
182
228
241
252
261
Source: Deloitte analysis
Premier League and Championship clubs' average revenues - 2017/18 (£m)
Note: UCL clubs comprised Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. UEL clubs comprised Arsenal and Everton.
Source: Premier League; UEFA; Deloitte analysis.
Premier League clubs' revenues and wage costs - 2016/17 and 2017/18 (£m)
2016/17
2017/18
Wages/revenue ratio
55%
59%
Average club wages (£m)
124
142
Source: Deloitte analysis.
Revenue
Football League clubs' revenues - 2016/17 and 2017/18 (£m)
Average revenue per club (£m)
16/17
17/18
Championship
30
31
League 1
6
6
League 2
4
4
Source: Deloitte analysis.
Football League clubs' revenues and wage costs - 2016/17 and 2017/18 (£m)
Championship
League 1
League 2
Wages/revenue ratio
99%
106%
84%
94%
71%
78%
Average club wages (£m)
30
33
5
6
3
3
Source: Deloitte analysis.
Premier League and Football League clubs' player transfer payments - 2017/18 (£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 2017/18, 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
Want more?
- Annual Review of Football FInance 2018 - Roar power
- 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
Previous editions of the Report and Databook are also available on the Deloitte Store.
