Football is referred to as “the people’s game,” yet many fans find it extremely costly to attend a Premier League game. The affordability of watching live games was recently brought to light when some Arsenal fans listed their last game of the season tickets for sale. Arsenal’s last game of the season being titled as the game where they’ll win the league. One ticket was listed at £28,000, raising the discussion on ticket prices.
However, the price of tickets is only one aspect of the intricate financial structure that surrounds football. This blog will examine how football teams generate income and why fans are crucial to their success.
TV Revenue
One of the biggest streams of revenue for Premier League clubs is through TV broadcasts. The Premier League currently has a deal with broadcasters worth £4.5 billion. The 20 Premier League teams share this money, with each club getting a portion based on things like their league standing and how frequently they appear on television.
While TV income is crucial for clubs, it should be noted the number of fans attending live games doesn’t affect the deal. This means clubs can still make a sizable profit from TV agreements even if attendance declines.
Matchday Revenue
An important source of income for football clubs is matchday revenue, which includes sales of tickets, food, beverages and merchandise. Ticket sales is what arguably separates football to other sports. The support and passion on football fans is unmatched. There can be disagreements over ticket prices as many fans still believe that they are too expensive as tickets prices have increased over the last few decades.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that when it comes to matchday revenue, ticket costs are only one factor. Clubs also depend on merchandise and food and drink sales to make money. Clubs also frequently give hospitality packages, which can come with tickets, food, and drink, as well as additional benefits, at a higher cost.
Fan Engagement
While matchday and TV revenue are important to clubs, the real source of a team’s income comes from its supporters. Tickets, souvenirs, and hospitality packages are all bought by fans. They are the ones who make the game thrilling to watch on television by creating an atmosphere during games.
Clubs that interact with their supporters and work to forge a close bond with them frequently have the best results. This can range from social media engagement to community outreach initiatives. Clubs can create loyalty by developing a close connection with their supporters, and over time, this can result in greater revenues being made.
Yet, businesses and organisations are missing out on thousands of potential revenue streams, each month. By creating and monetising content, while utilising an existing loyal fan base, organisations can create a sustainable revenue stream.
