Major European Football Clubs Report Over €1 Billion Losses in 2025 Despite Record Revenues
Despite record revenues surpassing €30 billion, major European football clubs accumulated losses over €1 billion in 2025 due to soaring costs and declining broadcasting revenues.
- • Chelsea reported the highest losses at €407 million.
- • Total losses across clubs reached €1.1 billion before taxes in 2025.
- • Record revenues exceeded €30 billion but were offset by rising operational costs.
- • Investment funds increasingly buy minority stakes in clubs rather than full ownership.
Key details
European football clubs faced significant financial challenges in 2025, accumulating losses of more than €1.1 billion before taxes, according to recent data from UEFA published by the Financial Times.
Chelsea recorded the highest losses in football, with a staggering €407 million deficit. Olympique de Lyon and Tottenham followed, with losses approaching €200 million and €150 million, respectively. Despite these substantial deficits, European clubs overall achieved record revenues exceeding €30 billion last year, driven by increased sponsorship deals, player sales, and payments from leagues and UEFA.
However, escalating operational costs—particularly player salaries—rose sharply by an average of 4.8%, contributing heavily to the financial strain. Chelsea’s operational expenses surged by 51%, Arsenal’s by 35%, and Barcelona saw a 19% increase. While two-thirds of the clubs in the analysis ended the year with profits, the largest 25 clubs were responsible for half of the total losses, exposing a growing divide between income and spending among top-tier teams.
Broadcasting rights revenue also declined, adding pressure to club finances. The report highlighted a trend where investment funds prefer acquiring minority stakes in clubs instead of full ownership, with 29 clubs changing hands in the past year.
This financial snapshot underscores the ongoing economic challenges facing major European football clubs, despite the growth in commercial revenue streams.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
