Friday, April 17, 2026

Europe’s ‘Big Five’ Soccer Leagues Seeing Revenue Near $20B

  • The continent’s top competitions are recovering financially from the pandemic.
  • Premier League clubs brought in almost $7 billion in most recent annual period.
Premier-league
Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

The health of Europe’s five biggest soccer leagues continues to recover from pandemic strains — but still has work to do, according to newly released financial figures.

Deloitte’s annual soccer finance review reveals that total revenue from the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1 grew by 10% to $18.78 billion during the 2021-22 season. 

But increased wage costs dropped aggregate operating profits by $1.97 billion since 2018-19  — the last season before the pandemic — for an overall loss of $353.8 million.

Unsurprisingly, the EPL was the continent’s best performer, growing income by 12% for a record aggregate revenue of $6.99 billion. However, English clubs’ operating profits of $585.44 million were actually down $1.28 million from the previous season.

La Liga was second in total revenue but brought in just about half of the EPL, $3.6 billion. The Bundesliga was just behind with $3.39 billion in revenue.

Italian Serie A clubs brought in $2.62 billion — a decrease of 7% — while Ligue 1 saw record revenue of $2.18 billion in Lionel Messi’s first of two seasons at Paris St. Germain.

Big Growth For Women’s Soccer

In the U.K., the 12 Women’s Super League clubs grew revenue by 60% in 2021-22 for a record sum of $40.81 million, according to Deloitte.

New broadcast deals with Sky Sports and the BBC were big contributors to the WSL’s growth.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mike Sherrill

New Jersey World Cup Games Will Have a $150 Train and $80 Bus

New Jersey officials have been adamant about not bearing transit costs.

Saudi PIF Drops Al-Hilal Soccer Team Amid Sports Pivot

The PIF is reportedly considering an exit from LIV Golf. 

New Jersey Gov. Blames FIFA For Possible $100 World Cup Train

FIFA said it’s “quite surprised” by New Jersey’s attack.

Featured Today

The Lawyer Steering the NIL Era

In the new era of college sports, Darren Heitner is everywhere.
blake griffin
April 14, 2026

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.
Matthew Schaefer/Front Office Sports
April 10, 2026

Matthew Schaefer Has the Hockey World in His Thrall

The teenage Islanders defenseman cannon-balled into the NHL.
April 9, 2026

College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans

“We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) heads for the locker room after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 14 game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. The Bills overcame a halftime deficit to win 39-34.

Joe Flacco Sounds Alarm on 18-Game Schedule

The veteran QB warns such expansion could hurt the playoffs.
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 4, 2026; Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA; Byeong Hun An in action during the first round of play at LIV Golf Riyadh at the Riyadh Golf Club.
April 17, 2026

LIV Golf CEO: League Looking for New Investors

Scott O’Neil admitted LIV will need to raise money moving forward.
Apr 15, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (4) clears the puck from the goal with Dallas Stars left wing Adam Erne (73) in pursuit in the third period at KeyBank Center.
April 17, 2026

New-Look NHL Playoffs Set As League Rides Attendance Wave

This year’s playoff field includes several upstarts and fresh storylines.
Sponsored

From Gold Medalist to Business Founder

Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
April 16, 2026

Grand Slam Track’s Contentious Bankruptcy Is Over. Now What?

With bankruptcy over, Grand Slam is cleared to try a comeback.
Dec 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
April 16, 2026

NBA Bends 65-Game Awards Rule for Dončić, Cunningham

Anthony Edwards, meanwhile, lost his appeal.
April 16, 2026

LIV Golf’s Future: Three Big Questions If Saudi Funding Dries Up

LIV players could be seeking a return to the PGA Tour.
Apr 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives past Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) and guard Darius Garland (10) in the second half during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome.
exclusive
April 16, 2026

NBA Is in Talks With Kalshi and Polymarket

Discussions ramped up after the CFTC began engaging with leagues, sources say.