Total club revenue across the top divisions of European soccer is expected to surpass €30 billion ($35.4 billion) for the 2025 financial year, according to a report by governing body UEFA.
UEFA's 2026 edition of its European Club Finance and Investment report, issued earlier this week, predicts that revenues will exceed the record-breaking total of €28.6 billion, set in 2024.
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It notes that the largest single revenue stream will be commercial income, which is anticipated to exceed €10 billion for FY25.
That number has grown by 10% year-on-year, with matchday revenue having increased by 16% and broadcast-related revenues having risen by 5%.
Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA's president, has commented: "What the report shows is encouraging. After a decade that included one of the toughest periods our sport and society have faced, European football has come through in a strong position.
"Despite the noise, despite the pressure, despite the doubts of some, European football’s future remains bright. The decade ahead will bring new pressures, but also real opportunities. With good insights, such as those provided by this report, European football can prepare more effectively – and work together to support a healthy, successful future."
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By GlobalDataHowever, the report also notes that aggregate losses amongst Europe's top-flight teams came to €1.1 billion (only a small decrease from last season's €1.2 billion).
This is partly as a result of non-player wages having risen sharply over the last few years, the report states.
Despite this, UEFA has also noted that 65% of early-reporting clubs from Europe's top leagues reported profits before tax in FY25.
One of the most noteworthy sections of the report is its disclosure that Chelsea recorded the biggest loss ever recorded by an English Premier League club in one season – £355 million ($478.4 million).
Those losses are more than double the next-highest figure by a European club from 2024-25 (Lyon lost £171 million).
These figures are also worse – by £260 million – than the losses recorded by the London club in 2023-24.
UEFA's report calculated that Chelsea's operational expenditure was the fifth-highest in Europe, and that their current men's playing squad is the most expensive in history (coming in at over £1.5 billion in value).
Over the last few seasons, Chelsea have had to exploit various loopholes in the profitability and sustainability regulations of the Premier League to avoid being fined for their increasingly large losses – UEFA, on the other hand, fined the club around £27 million last year for breaking its own, separate regulations.
Earlier this month, Chelsea disclosed a front-of-shirt deal through the end of 2025-26 with AI software company IFS to bolster its financial income.
Meanwhile, Premier League front-runners Arsenal came closer to making a profit last season than at any time since 2017-18, it has been disclosed.
The North London club reported their 2024-25 financials earlier this week, disclosing a loss of £1.4 million (the 2024 figure was £17.7 million).
This came with club revenue having reached a record high of £691 million, up from 2024's figure of £616.6 million.
All income sectors – commercial, broadcast, and matchday – saw income grow year-on-year.
Commercial revenue rose from £218.3 million to £263.2 million, broadcast fees from £263.2 million to £272.8 million, and matchday income from £131.7 million to £153.9 million.
The fact that the club did not make a profit, however, was down to operating costs also rising significantly, from £147.9 million to £200.8 million.
Arsenal's men's side are currently in an extremely strong position, as the 2025-26 season enters its final months – they are top of the Premier League, into the fifth round of the FA Cup, set to contest the final of the EFL Cup against rivals Manchester City next month, and through to the knockout stages of the lucrative UEFA Champions League.
Richard Garlick, the club's chief executive, has said: "As we move into 2026, it’s an incredibly exciting time to be part of Arsenal. We continue to build something special on the back of these improved financial results. Our teams are pushing on to do everything we can to deliver major trophies."
