LaLiga has announced record-breaking financial results for the 2023/24 season, reinforcing its position as one of the most commercially successful football leagues in the world.
Spain’s top-flight football division reported that total revenue exceeded €5.049 billion, marking a 3.2% increase from the previous campaign. This milestone represents a strong post-pandemic recovery for the league.
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Commercial and broadcasting revenue boost
The strong financial showing was driven largely by LaLiga’s commercial income, which surpassed €1 billion for the second consecutive year, reaching €1.288 billion. Broadcasting revenue also remained robust at €1.508 billion. Combined, these two pillars made up the majority of the league’s recurring income, which is derived from four main sources: matchday, commercial, broadcasting, and UEFA prize money.
Strategic partnerships power commercial growth
Key to LaLiga’s financial momentum was its refreshed commercial strategy, highlighted by a landmark partnership with video game giant Electronic Arts (EA), which ushered in a “new era” of branding for Spanish football. Additionally, the league renewed its high-profile sponsorship deal with Visit Saudi, further boosting international visibility.
Record fan engagement in stadiums
Stadium engagement also reached record heights, with over 16 million fans attending matches throughout the season, equating to an average occupancy rate of 75.4%.
Revenue dip explained by one-off factors
Though total revenue dipped by 10% year-on-year to €5.125 billion, down from €5.69 billion in 2022/23, LaLiga attributed the drop to the exclusion of one-off financial boosts from previous seasons, such as the €1.99 billion investment deal with CVC Capital Partners.
“After the pandemic, we said it would take four or five years to recover the Covid losses, and that has been the case,” said LaLiga president Javier Tebas. “Taking away the effects of last year’s levers, which distorted the total numbers, you can see that we are a sustainable league.”
Positive outlook for 2024/25 season
Looking ahead to the ongoing 2024/25 season, the league forecasts further improvements in revenue performance, citing organic growth and improved operating margins. LaLiga says it is on course to break even under UEFA’s financial fair play rules, reflecting a healthier and more sustainable business model.
