European football revenue breaks €40 billion but growth is slowing, says Deloitte

July 8 : European football surpassed €40 billion ($46 billion) in revenue for the first time in the 2024-25 season, but growth is showing signs of stalling, Deloitte said in its annual review of football finance.

Football across the continent generated €40.2 billion in the season that ended in mid-2025, up from €38 billion the previous year. The "Big Five" European leagues - the Premier League, Bundesliga, LaLiga, Serie A, and Ligue 1 - generated €21.6 billion of that amount.

But Deloitte's analysts said cramming more matches into an already packed calendar may not be the answer, with aggregate club revenue set to plateau or even fall in 2025-26 and 2026-27.

"The expansion of UEFA and FIFA competitions has delivered financial benefits across Europe's 'Big Five' leagues, but football cannot rely on simply adding more content to deliver sustainable growth," Tim Bridge, lead partner in the Deloitte Sports Business Group, said.

"An increasingly saturated market may not be good for players or fans, particularly if it weakens the on-pitch spectacle.

"This approach, without a collective mindset from all rightsholders, risks prioritising short-term gain over long-term prosperity."

PREMIER LEAGUE GENERATES HIGHEST REVENUE

The Premier League remained Europe's highest-earning top division, with clubs generating £6.8 billion ($9.1 billion) in revenue - an 8 per cent rise that is projected to push them past the £7 billion mark for 2025-26.

"Revenues were boosted by an increase in the number of clubs reaching the final stages of European competitions, rising ticket prices and increased stadia capacity," Deloitte wrote.

However, the financial picture was mixed. Pre-tax losses ballooned from £135 million to £948 million, driven by heavy transfer