April 15 – Spain’s LaLiga is reporting record total revenue of €5.69 billion for the 2022-23 season an increase of 17.8% over the 2021/22 season beating the pre-covid high mark of €5.07 billion in 2019-20.
LaLiga said the revenue was boosted by by commercial revenues that increased 28.6% year-on-year and a 36.9% increase in stadium attendances to more than 15 million over the season, the league’s highest ever.
LaLiga said average stadium occupancy is now at 72%.
Commercial revenue exceeded €1 billion for the first time, said LaLiga, “with a very positive outlook for 2023-24, due to the maturity of the commercial expansion and growing attendance at the stadiums.”
Never one to be shy when comparing its operations with other European leagues, LaLiga said: “This recovery is solid thanks to growth in the main recurring revenue streams and LALIGA is significantly better placed than other competitions in terms of growth capacity, margins, performance and solvency.”
Transfer revenues rose to €679 million from €402 million but still well below the €1.12 billion in 2019-20.
“In this respect, the recovery in this area will be slow due to the regulatory pressure on English clubs, which, with the creation of the regulatory body under the British government, is beginning to have an effect in the form of sanctions and a lower volume of transfers,” said LaLiga.
That is something of an over-simplification of an international transfer market that was overheated and skewed by a few big spending Premier League clubs. As they work to return to levels of financial responsibility that LaLiga says it champions with its clubs, then the transfer market will not be the financial saviour for many of Spain’s clubs that it has been in the past.
LaLiga said squad costs are stable, with wage costs, including transfer amortisations, of €3,000 million in S22/23. The wages to revenue ratio is to the 70% threshold which will be required by teams playing in UEFA competitions.
€848 million was invested in infrastructure, including Real Madrid’s renovation of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium and surroundings. Next year’s figures will include Barcelona’s renovation of its Camp Nou stadium.
“LaLiga clubs are at a landmark moment in terms of investments in growth and infrastructure, mainly thanks to the projects derived from BOOST LALIGA/CVC,” said LaLiga.
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