According to the “Deloitte Football Money League” report, in its twenty-sixth edition, the top 20 European football clubs generated more than €9.2 billion in revenues in the 2021/22 season. This is a 13% increase from the previous year (€8,200 million in the 2020/21 season).
The report shows that this revenue increase coincides with the comeback of fans to the stadiums. Mostly after overcoming the restrictions imposed by COVID-19 that affected not only the fans but also the bettors and their access to the best online bookmakers. As a result, matchday revenues rose from €111 million in the 2020/2021 season -when matches were still played with limited audiences- to €1,400 million in the 2021/22 season.
Commercial revenues also grew by 8%. But broadcast revenues declined by 11% compared to the 2020/21 season. They are benefited from the delays of broadcast revenues from the postponed matches of the 2019/20 season.
Premier League Dominates Revenue Rankings but Lags Behind in Profits
The Deloitte Football Money League report has recorded a historic feat: more than half of the top 20 clubs with the highest revenues are from one country. 11 teams from the Premier League (England) have made it to this elite group in this edition. Moreover, five of the six biggest clubs in the English league reported revenue growth of 15% or more (a total increase of €226 million). Mostly thanks to new commercial initiatives and the comeback of non-matchday events; such as concerts and stadium tours.
The Premier League has clearly become the league with the economic power to splash out in the transfer markets. However, there is one aspect where they do not excel: profits. Let’s take a look at the teams that have made the most money since the summer before the 2017-18 season, considering income and expenses.
- 1. Benfica (Primeira Liga, Portugal)
The first is S.L. Benfica. The Portuguese team has made huge profits from selling players like Joao Félix to Atlético de Madrid for €120 million or Enzo Fernández to Chelsea for €121 million. In the last five years, they have spent €360,96 million. But they have earned €839,59 million, which means a profit of €478,63.
- 2. AFC Ajax (Eredivisie, Netherlands)
One of the most productive youth academies in Europe comes after the Portuguese team: Ajax Amsterdam. The Dutch team always makes a big sale in the summer, which has resulted in a profit of €359,72 million since 2017. The work that is done in the historic club that gave us Johan Cruyff deserves recognition.
- 3. Olympique Lyonnais (Ligue 1, France)
The third place goes to Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon, or simply OL, with a profit of €272,46 million. The French team earned €595,02 but spent €322,56 from the summer of 2017 until now.
Their most expensive sales in this period were those of Tanguy Ndombélé (to Tottenham for €62 million), Alexander Lacazette (to Arsenal for €53 million). And Ferland Mendy (to Real Madrid for €48 million).
- 4. FC Red Bull Salzburg (Austrian Bundesliga, Austria)
The Austrians have also made a lot of money. They are dominant in their country. But they have not yet succeeded in Europe, although it seems that they have plenty of cash.
Their most famous sale is that of Erling Haaland, the eternal favorite of those who enjoy high-stake betting, to Borussia Dortmund for €20 million.
- 5. Lille Olympique Sporting Club (Ligue 1, France)
The fifth place goes to the second French team on the list. Just last summer, they sold Sven Botman to Newcastle (€37 million) and Amadou Onana to Everton (€35 million). However, Lille still does not make progress in Europe.
And La Liga?
It is surprising that none of the teams from La Liga Santander are on the list of teams that have made the most money since the summer before the 2017-18 season. For example, in the Deloitte report, Real Madrid is in second place with €714 million in revenue. FC Barcelona, in seventh place, with €638.2 million in revenue. And Atlético de Madrid, in 12th place after earning €394 million. Yes, the Spanish league gets a lot of money. But it also spends a lot to buy players that are not profitable.
What can we learn from all these numbers? Not everything is about being famous and having a lot of money. If someone asks you to bet on which football teams are successful. You probably think first of a Premier League team and you would not even think about making significant profits in minor football leagues as a possibility. However, the truth is that Portuguese football has been a model for the big leagues such as the Premier and La Liga for many years. It is there where the best players come from, whether they are foreigners or Portuguese. So don’t wait any longer, open an account at the best betting platform. And start betting on clubs like Benfica, Porto, Sporting CP, and Sporting Clube de Braga that also perform well on the field.
