Deloitte Football Money: Four Teams Valued at €2.8bn Chase €2.03bn UCL Prize Money

Four football giants, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund, have secured spots in the semi-finals of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League, setting the stage for an intense battle for the coveted trophy.

Real Madrid advanced to the semi-finals by defeating Manchester City on penalties, setting up an exciting clash against Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich secured their place with a 1-0 victory over Arsenal in the quarter-final second leg.

PSG, led by Kylian Mbappe’s brilliance, staged a remarkable comeback to eliminate Barcelona and seal their spot in the semi-finals. They will face Borussia Dortmund, who overcame Atletico Madrid to reach this stage.

These four teams, ranked among the top in the Deloitte Football Money League 2024, are set to compete for the prestigious UEFA Champions League title. Real Madrid, reclaiming the top spot in revenue generation, reported record earnings of €831 million for the 2022/23 season, fueled by strong retail performance and increased stadium attendance. The last-four fixtures of the UEFA Champions League have been scheduled for April 30 and May 7, 2024.

PSG, breaking into the top three for the first time, recorded €802 million in revenue, benefiting from a significant share of the CVC investment in Ligue de Football Professional.

Bayern Munich ranked sixth and reported revenues of €744 million, attributed to growth in matchday revenues and expanding fan base. Borussia Dortmund, ranked 12th, experienced a notable 18% increase in revenue, totalling €420 million for the season.

The combined valuation of the four teams competing in the semi-finals of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League stands at €2.8 billion, marking a significant increase of approximately €800 million compared to last season’s semi-finalists.

Last season, the semi-finalist teams included Real Madrid (valued at €713.8 million), Manchester City (€731 million), AC Milan (€257.4 million), and Inter Milan (€308.4 million). Collectively, these teams were valued at a total of approximately €2.01 billion.

The substantial rise in valuation for this season’s semi-finalists underscores the growing financial strength and market appeal of the participating clubs. It reflects the continued investment in talent, infrastructure, and commercial endeavours that have enhanced their overall worth in the football landscape.

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the Champions League prize money remains unchanged at €2.03 billion for the 2023/24 campaign.

The four teams that have advanced to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League will each receive €12.5 million in prize money. Therefore, when considering Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Borussia Dortmund, the total amount they are collectively entitled to is €50 million. Each team will receive this financial reward for their success in reaching the semi-final stage of the prestigious tournament.

In the 2022/23 season, the total revenue generated by the top 20 Deloitte Football Money League clubs reached a record €10.5 billion, marking a significant 14% increase over the previous year and even surpassing pre-pandemic levels of €9.2 billion recorded in both the 2021/22 and 2018/19 seasons.

A substantial portion of this revenue came from matchday earnings, which soared to €1.9 billion during the same period. This surge in matchday revenue was primarily fueled by the heightened demand from fans eager to experience live sporting events as stadiums across continental Europe reopened to full capacity. Notably, 13 out of the top 20 clubs reported record matchday revenue, with clubs from the Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue 1, and La Liga contributing significantly to this increase.

In addition to record matchday revenue, Deloitte Football Money League clubs also achieved unprecedented levels of commercial revenue, reaching €4.4 billion in the 2022/23 season. This marked a remarkable 16% growth over the previous year, highlighting the robust financial performance of these clubs.

Commercial revenue emerged as the largest revenue income stream for Money League clubs for the first time since the 2015/16 season, excluding the COVID-19-impacted 2019/20 season. This shift underscores the growing importance of commercial activities in football club finances.

Remarkably, 17 out of the top 20 clubs reported a year-on-year increase in commercial revenue. This growth can be attributed to various factors, including improved retail sales, revenue from non-matchday events, and the recovery of sponsorship income that had been adversely affected by the pandemic. Overall, these developments indicate the resilience and adaptability of football clubs in navigating challenging economic conditions.