Matches without fans shape financial development as coronavirus pandemic causes revenue of Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 to fall 5.7 percent

• Total revenue of both leagues: €4.5 billion
• Clubs pay €1.4 billion in taxes and duties
• 52,786 people employed either directly or indirectly in German professional football during the 2019-20 season

9 March 2021 – The impact of the coronavirus crisis on the 2019-20 season led to a decline in revenue in German professional football. As expected, the effects of the pandemic are reflected in the cumulative economic figures for the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2, especially because all matches from Matchday 26 onwards were played without fans in the stadiums. In the Bundesliga alone, this led to a corresponding fall in ticket sales of 30 percent to €363.5 million.

Overall, the 18 Bundesliga clubs generated a total revenue of €3.8 billion during the 2019-20 season, representing a drop of around 5.4 percent. Bundesliga 2 clubs produced a total revenue of €726 million, roughly 7.2 percent less than the previous year. Overall, combining these figures from both divisions yields a fall in revenue of 5.7 percent. This can be seen in the 2021 DFL Economic Report which was published today. The report presents the cumulative key economic indicators for the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 for the 2019-20 season.

No one was prepared for the coronavirus crisis and the extent to which it would affect all areas of life worldwide, and German professional football is no exception.

Christian Seifert, Speaker of the Executive Committee of the DFL

The impact of German professional football on the national economy remains unchanged, with 52,786 people employed either directly or indirectly in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 during the past season. The 36 clubs paid €1.4 billion in taxes and duties to the financial authorities and social security institutions. The total paid in taxes and duties over the past ten seasons amounts to €10.6 billion.

“No one was prepared for the coronavirus crisis and the extent to which it would affect all areas of life worldwide, and German professional football is no exception,” says Christian Seifert, Speaker of the Executive Committee of the DFL. He added, “Over the past 20 years, the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 have established economic foundations on which the two leagues can build their future development. However, it is clear that the massive ramifications of the pandemic will require all clubs to continue to act with financial discipline and foresight.”

Nonetheless, the total revenue achieved by the Bundesliga in the 2019-20 season is still the third highest figure of all time, while only once before has Bundesliga 2 generated more revenue than it did in 2019-20. However, it is also clear that the impact of the coronavirus will be even more pronounced in the 2020-21 season. One example of this is the international transfer market. In addition, a further decline in revenue from ticket sales is unavoidable. At this point in time, 24 matchdays of the 2020-21 season have been played – by necessity without fans in the stadiums for the most part.