Borussia Dortmund Group – Revenue in EUR '000
Borussia Dortmund generated revenue of EUR 351,645 thousand in the 2021/2022 financial year, representing an increase of EUR 17,474 thousand or 5.23%. On the one hand, the increase in income is attributable in particular to higher income from match operations and from conference, catering and miscellaneous due to the relaxation by lawmakers of restrictions on spectator numbers, and on the other hand to growth in advertising income. This was countered by almost constant merchandising income and a decline in TV marketing income.
The performance of the individual revenue items is described in the following:
Income from match operations
Income from match operations increased by EUR 22,101 thousand to EUR 22,655 thousand in financial year 2021/2022.
Income from match operations for domestic competitions rose by EUR 17,186 thousand to EUR 17,730 thousand.
Borussia Dortmund could at least welcome back an average of approximately 42,000 spectators to the 17 Bundesliga home matches played at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK over the 2021/2022 season in line with the changing Corona Protection Regulations. In the previous year, only a small number of spectators had been permitted to attend just three Bundesliga home matches.
The income from domestic and international cup competitions increased by EUR 4,167 thousand. No income was generated in this area in the previous year due to the pandemic. This season, SIGNAL IDUNA PARK hosted an average of approximately 26,000 spectators at the six national and international cup matches held at home (including the DFL Super Cup).
Borussia Dortmund generated income of EUR 758 thousand from friendlies and ticket proceeds generated by the club’s other teams in this financial year (previous year: EUR 9 thousand) in the context of changing Corona Protection Regulations. Unlike before COVID, the pandemic prevented the squad from travelling to Asia or the United States for preseason tours.
Income from advertising
Borussia Dortmund generated advertising income of EUR 126,124 thousand in the past financial year (previous year: EUR 106,577 thousand), corresponding to growth of 18.34% and a 35.87% share (second-largest) of total revenue.
Advertising income increased in particular due to the fact that, unlike in the previous year, the hospitality areas were operating at full capacity at each of the 23 home matches played. As a result, income grew by EUR 12,075 thousand in this area. Income generated with Champion Partners, Premium Partners and Partners and income from match-day marketing also increased, while the less successful sporting performance caused a decline in bonuses received.
The strategic partnerships with the two primary sponsors Evonik Industries AG and 1&1 Telecommunication SE as well as with the equipment supplier, PUMA SE, remain the foundation for sponsorship income. The holder of the stadium’s naming rights, SIGNAL IDUNA (partnership extended early until 30 June 2031), the sleeve sponsor, Opel Automobile GmbH, and the ten Champion Partners continue to contribute greatly to income from advertising.
Furthermore, advertising income includes bonuses for sporting success, in particular for the second-place Bundesliga finish, which directly qualified the team for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League in the 2022/2023 season.
Income from TV marketing
In financial year 2021/2022, income from TV marketing once again represented the highest share of revenue (41.26%); however, it declined by EUR 41,585 thousand year on year to EUR 145,070 thousand. The decrease was attributable to both national and international TV marketing income and to the marketing of national cup competitions.
Income from domestic TV marketing amounted to EUR 78,503 thousand (previous year: EUR 97,826 thousand), down EUR 19,323 thousand against the prior-year reporting period. The 2021/2022 season was the first covered by the media rights newly allocated by the German Football League (DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga GmbH) for seasons from 2021/2022 to 2024/2025, under which clubs can expect income averaging EUR 1.1 billion (total of EUR 4.4 billion), with the distributions increasing with each passing season. This constitutes a reduction of 5.17% on the previous allocation period, in which EUR 4.64 billion was paid out to the clubs (also with increasing distributions). This general reduction and the fact that a more lucrative final year of the old allocation period is being compared with the first year of the new media rights allocation period cause a decline in income from national TV marketing.
Income from international TV marketing for competing in the UEFA Champions League and knockout round play-offs in the UEFA Europa League amounted to EUR 62,741 thousand in the financial year ended (previous year: EUR 78,698 thousand). The year-on-year decline of EUR 15,957 thousand is due primarily to the team’s elimination in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League and the fewer bonus points during the group stage. This could not be offset by participating in the UEFA Europa League since the team exited that tournament early in the knockout round play-offs.
In the domestic cup competition, Borussia Dortmund reached the round of 16 after having won the DFB Cup in the previous year. Income from domestic cup competitions thus amounted to EUR 3,790 thousand (previous year: EUR 10,131 thousand).
Merchandising
Income from merchandising decreased slightly by EUR 841 thousand to EUR 31,799 thousand in the past 2021/2022 financial year. In the previous year, EUR 32,640 thousand had been recognised for this item. The brick-and-mortar fan shops saw revenue increase as against the previous year, which was overshadowed by fan shop closures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. By contrast, revenue in the online business declined due in part to the higher revenue at the brick-and-mortar fan shops.
Conference, catering and miscellaneous income
Borussia Dortmund’s conference, catering and miscellaneous income increased by EUR 18,252 thousand from EUR 7,745 thousand in the previous year to EUR 25,997 thousand. This also included revenue from advance booking fees, rental and lease income, release fees for national team players, income from players on loan, and training compensation.
Conference and catering income, which comprises income generated by the hospitality areas, public catering services and events, increased by EUR 11,047 thousand from EUR 661 thousand in the previous year to EUR 11,708 thousand.
In comparison with the previous year, when the lack of spectators at 21 of 24 home matches and fewer customers at the first three Bundesliga home fixtures meant that only limited revenue was generated, both in public and hospitality catering, this year the hospitality areas were again operating at full capacity and an average of approximately 38,000 spectators were in attendance at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK, resulting in revenue growth of EUR 8,804 thousand year on year. Events outside of match operations such as private celebrations, corporate events, trade fairs and stadium tours also resumed in the past financial year, which caused this income to increase by EUR 2,243 thousand year on year.
Advance booking fees and postage for match and season tickets also increased in line with the higher spectator numbers and recommencement of season ticket sales for the 2022/2023 season, rising by EUR 3,059 thousand to EUR 3,766 thousand in the reporting period from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 (previous year: EUR 707 thousand).
The release fees for national team players of EUR 4,694 thousand (previous year: EUR 2,268 thousand) grew as against the previous year due in particular to national team player releases in the context of the 2020 European Championship, which was held in 2021.
The income from players on loan and training compensation decreased slightly year on year, declining by EUR 378 thousand to EUR 1,237 thousand. This comprised mainly the loan of player Ansgar Knauff to Eintracht Frankfurt and training compensation for various players, in particular for Achraf Hakimi. In the previous year, the income was mainly recognised for the loans of players Leonardo Balerdi, Jeremy Toljan and Sergio Gómez.
Net transfer income
Net transfer income rose by EUR 46,465 thousand to EUR 61,866 thousand. This includes primarily transfer proceeds from the departures of the players Jadon Sancho (Manchester United), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille), Thomas Delaney (Sevilla FC), Sergio Gómez (SD Huesca), Chris Führich (SC Paderborn) and Tobias Raschl (Spielvereinigung Greuther Fürth) as well as subsequent transfer proceeds less residual carrying amounts and selling costs incurred.
Gross transfer proceeds amounted to EUR 105,241 thousand (previous year: EUR 24,406 thousand). The residual carrying amounts amounted to EUR 19,366 thousand (previous year: EUR 7,720 thousand) and transfer costs amounted to EUR 24,009 thousand (previous year: EUR 1,285 thousand).
In the previous financial year, Jeremy Toljan transferred to U.S. Sassuolo, Ömer Toprak to Werder Bremen and Dženis Burnić to 1. FC Heidenheim. Borussia Dortmund also generated subsequent transfer fees. Furthermore, Mario Götze left to join PSV Eindhoven on a free transfer.
Other operating income
Other operating income increased by EUR 13,163 thousand year on year to EUR 23,540 thousand. In the current financial year as in the previous year, this included primarily subsidies already accounted for or granted, gains from the reversal of provisions and from reimbursement for granting contractual marketing rights, and insurance reimbursements. Other operating income includes prior-period income in the amount of EUR 13,492 thousand (previous year: EUR 2,608 thousand).