New study: Professional football remains an important economic and social staple in Germany
27 February 2025 – Professional football unites different social groups like no other leisure activity and is more than ever a growth engine for the German economy. This is the result of the current “More than just a game” study by management consultants McKinsey. In the fourth study of its kind, conducted every five years since 2010, the socio-political relevance of professional football was analysed in detail for the first time in addition to its economic relevance.
During the period under review, the professional football system grew by 5.3% annually (adjusted for inflation: 1.5%) and thus significantly faster than the German economy as a whole, which grew by a nominal 4.1% (0.4%). Among other things, this resulted in around 20,000 new full-time jobs. Over the course of the 2023-24 season, the professional football ecosystem provided almost 150,000 full-time jobs, which is more than the global number of full-time jobs provided by 34 of the 40 companies in the DAX 40. Particularly noteworthy: every euro generated by the clubs resulted in further added value of EUR 2 on average in related areas, for example with marketers, broadcasters or suppliers to the clubs.
Massive growth in taxes and jobs
Professional football also remains an important source of tax revenue – with a net increase of 4.6 billion euros for public budgets. This is more than the budgeted costs for the federal police (4.2 billion euros) or housing benefit (4.3 billion euros).
The benefits are not only economic. For 41% of German citizens, professional football is an important part of their lives. Hardly any other cultural or leisure activity brings together so many different social groups – regardless of age, origin or income. Professional football stands for unifying experiences, emotions, regional roots and social commitment.
“The social and economic importance of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 is immense – this is impressively demonstrated by the latest independent study from McKinsey,” says DFL CEO Marc Lenz. “On the one hand, the leagues and clubs offer an emotional home with shared values, enthusiasm and a positive sense of togetherness. On the other hand, the Bundesliga is an important economic engine that secures a significant number of jobs and sales in related sectors. For cities and municipalities, our clubs are important location factors which, in addition to their social significance, are also reflected in a substantial economic plus through added value, taxes and duties. All of this clearly underlines the fact that the Bundesliga has a positive impact for the entire country.”
For the study “More than just a game”, McKinsey independently examined the economic effects of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2, the DFB Pokal, and the domestic effects of European competitions and conducted a representative survey of more than 1,000 people in Germany, as well as interviews with experts.
Download the entire study (in German):