Germany`s top football league, the Bundesliga, has finalized its domestic media rights deal for the upcoming broadcast cycle. The agreement, set to run for four seasons from 2025/26 through 2028/29, will see clubs collectively receive a significant sum annually from broadcasters.
Under the terms of the new arrangement, the Bundesliga is projected to earn a total of €1.346 billion per season from domestic television rights. While this represents a substantial revenue stream for German football, it is worth placing this figure in a broader context. For comparison, during the same period, the English Premier League is reportedly set to command the equivalent of €7.76 billion per season for its domestic rights. The disparity highlights the significant financial gap between Europe`s leading football properties.
The distribution of this €1.346 billion among the 18 Bundesliga clubs is governed by a multi-faceted system designed to balance equitable sharing with incentives for performance, youth development, and popularity:
- Equality (50%): Half of the total revenue is split equally among all Bundesliga teams. This provides a foundational level of income stability for every club in the league.
- Sporting Performance (43%): The largest variable portion is allocated based on clubs` performance over the past five to ten years. This criterion rewards sustained success and competitiveness on the pitch.
- Youth Development (4%): A dedicated portion is distributed based on clubs` utilization of young German players. This aims to incentivize the development of domestic talent.
- Interest and Popularity (3%): A smaller percentage is distributed based on factors related to club interest and popularity, acknowledging the market appeal of different teams.
This tiered distribution model naturally leads to significant differences in earnings between the top and bottom clubs. For the upcoming cycle, FC Bayern Munich is expected to be the highest earner, projected to receive approximately €83.4 million from the domestic pot. They are followed by Borussia Dortmund (€78 million) and Bayer Leverkusen (€75 million). At the lower end of the spectrum, a newly promoted side like Hamburg is estimated to receive around €31.4 million.
In addition to domestic rights, Bundesliga clubs also benefit from international broadcasting deals, although the revenue generated from these agreements is considerably smaller than the domestic figure. These international earnings are also added to the clubs` total financial intake.
The new deal provides the financial backbone for the league`s operations and club investments over the next four years. However, the contrast with rival leagues, particularly the Premier League, underscores the ongoing economic challenge for German clubs aiming to compete at the very highest levels of European football.
