The German Football Leagues (DFL), overseeing the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2, have announced unprecedented financial and attendance figures for the 2023-24 season, cementing German professional football’s status as a powerhouse both on and off the pitch. According to the DFL’s latest economic report, ticket sales and club revenues reached record highs, reflecting the enduring popularity and economic vitality of the sport in Germany.
The 2023-24 season saw a total of 20.74 million tickets sold across the top two divisions, marking the first time the 20-million ticket barrier has been breached. This figure represents a nearly 5% increase over the previous season’s record of 19.76 million, underscoring the growing appetite for live football among German fans. The Bundesliga, Germany’s top tier, led the charge with 11.93 million tickets sold, averaging 38,973 per match—an occupancy rate of 95.2%. This average attendance outpaces other major European leagues, including the English Premier League, Spain’s La Liga, and Italy’s Serie A, reaffirming the Bundesliga’s position as the continent’s leader in per-game ticket sales.
Bundesliga 2, the second tier, also saw remarkable growth, with ticket sales rising nearly 30% from the 2022-23 season to 8.81 million—an average of 28,796 per match. This figure represents the highest in the league’s history, drawing comparisons to attendance numbers in France’s Ligue 1 and Major League Soccer in the United States. DFL CEO Marc Lenz attributed this surge to the “attractive and safe football experience in the stadiums” and “moderate ticket prices compared to the rest of Europe,” which continue to make German football accessible to a broad audience.
Financially, the 2023-24 season was equally triumphant, with the 36 clubs of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 generating a combined revenue of €5.87 billion ($6.4 billion). This marks a 12% increase over the previous record of €5.24 billion set in the 2022-23 season, highlighting a robust recovery from the economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bundesliga alone accounted for the lion’s share, reinforcing its standing as the second-highest revenue-generating league in Europe, behind only the Premier League.
For the first time, Bundesliga 2 crossed the €1 billion revenue threshold, a milestone that underscores the growing commercial appeal of the second tier. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich, one of Germany’s footballing giants, also broke the €1 billion revenue barrier individually, despite finishing third in the Bundesliga behind unbeaten champions Bayer Leverkusen. This achievement reflects the club’s global brand strength and commercial success, even in a season without a domestic title.
The DFL’s report paints a picture of German football as a thriving ecosystem, blending sporting passion with economic stability. “German professional football remains an absolute magnet for spectators, with people continuing to follow their clubs avidly, regardless of league affiliation,” said Marc Lenz. He highlighted the combination of high-quality football, affordable tickets, and safe stadium environments as key drivers of this success.
The figures also signal a broader trend of sustainability. With a personnel cost ratio below 50% and increased investments in youth academies, German clubs are positioning themselves as financially healthier than many of their European counterparts. This model, Lenz argued, ensures that “sporting success and attractive leagues remain achievable with economic efficiency,” setting a benchmark for the future of football in Europe.