UEFA report, all the numbers of Italian football

We are still the fourth championship in Europe, our value is about a third of the Premier League, in the transfer market we still have the tendency (fortunately decreasing) to spend like in the good times, but finally something is changing. It is the photograph of Italy from the new UEFA 2024 report that we exclusively anticipate: The European Club Finance and Investment Landscape is the updated situation of the over seven hundred first division clubs on the continent. A relationship that is less negative for us than in recent years. Perhaps the lesson has been learned.

ITALY

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Costs remain beyond the sustainable level, but revenues are holding up well, in fact ticket sales are growing significantly. And, given that TV is stable/declining almost everywhere, the game is played on sponsors and commercial: here we have enormous margins for progress. We will need ideas, flexibility, perhaps new rules. The final projection for 2023 – the data is not definitive – indicates that Serie A is the tournament that is growing the most among the top teams: the prospect is to improve by 28% compared to 2022. It is interesting to discover that our top clubs hold up in comparison with the best in Europe: Napoli is 2nd overall in terms of profit, Milan now follows Juve who improve their accounts after the post-Ronaldo years. Inter are suffering but success, with the associated economic rewards, can soothe many wounds. Roma has serious problems.

Europe

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European football has surpassed the record achieved before the pandemic: in 2019 European revenues had reached 23 billion euros, then the decline, between losses and lost earnings. A bathroom from which not everyone recovered. But in 2023 the turnover will reach 25.6 billion (+11.7% compared to 2022). Costs are also increasing, 17.3 billion, but at a slower pace (+4%).

the revenue

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In detail, it is the ticket office that pulls: +32%. This figure can be explained by the increase in spectators but, alas, also by the rise in prices. TV is heading towards saturation, +6%, but the top leagues are no longer growing, on the contrary. The secret to healthier tournaments is diversification. Sponsors and salespeople indicate +14%: Italy on the other hand is behind. The comparison with Germany says it all: almost the same TV rights (just over a billion), but half the commercial rights (600 million against 1.2). Costs are still high (1.6 billion) here: 70% of revenues. Bundesliga 44%, Premier 50%, La Liga 61% are better.

our clubs

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The good news comes from our clubs: Juve, Inter and Milan are regularly in all the “Top 20”, Napoli and Roma make some appearances. The meaning is that Milan has made the big leap: the turnover is almost 400 million (399, 13th in Europe), about forty less than Juve (437, 11th), but they have managed to overtake Inter (386) . And the reason is that Inter, due to their debt problems and poor results, certainly needs to put their accounts in order. 101 million arrived from the last Champions League, a healthy injection, but it’s not enough. Great result for Napoli, now 18th in Europe: turnover from 157 to 277 million.

profits

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The data on profits is even more significant: ADL reached 123 million in profit, only United did better (165). The championship was a huge boost. Last year Napoli were at -1, therefore in deficit. He now precedes Arsenal, Bayern, Liverpool, City, an already incredible result, and Milan, 7th in Europe with 74 million (it was +4 in ’22). Of course, Fair Play is fine for them. But it is also the case for Lazio and Juve who have embarked on a saving trend. Instead, Inter is suffering, Roma worse.

other voices

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It is clear that there is a desire for matches at the stadium. Milan (79 million), Inter (76), Juve (63) and Roma (55) have practically doubled their ticket takings. Less strong increases in the commercial sector: Juve comes close to two hundred million (11th in Europe), Milan makes a big leap (from 85 to 128), Inter drops: from 90 to 81 and not good, being runners-up ‘Europe. The reduction in total salaries and players’ salaries was also good: especially Juve who saved 20%. The difference can also be seen in the market: Juve drops from -164 to -101, but Inter rises from -37 to -82. The Bianconeri have the most valuable squad in Italy (8th in Europe) with 769 million, more than the Nerazzurri (589) and Napoli (445). From aging stadiums to crossroads between clubs and owners, there is no shortage of problems, but there is a light.