In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, another grave crisis enveloped Germany and the rest of the world in the middle of the third quarter of the 2021/2022 financial year: the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Everyone at Borussia Dortmund is deeply dismayed by the horrific developments. Moreover, the war in Ukraine is adversely affecting the overall economic situation in Germany, as consumers are seeing their purchasing power diminish in the face of rising commodity, energy and food prices and consequently higher inflation as a result of the conflict. This has also impacted Borussia Dortmund. There is a threat of recession, which could also have an adverse effect on sponsorship interest and demand for tickets.
The pandemic also remains ever-present, with the summer wave of COVID-19 causing infection rates to rise. The significant drop in the number of PCR tests carried out means that the number of unreported cases is likely to be a lot higher, although the majority of cases do seem to be somewhat milder. Nevertheless, professional football will play its part to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the event of a spike in infections and/or a rise in the hospitalisation rate.
On the pitch, Borussia Dortmund finished the 2021/2022 season in second place with 69 points, qualifying directly for the lucrative group stage of the UEFA Champions League in the coming season. Borussia Dortmund has thus qualified for an international cup competition for the thirteenth time in a row since the 2010/2011 season.
As well as setting the course for sporting success, Borussia Dortmund has also made a material contribution to earnings at the beginning of the 2022/2023 season with the transfer of player Erling Haaland to Manchester City.