The 2024/25 financial statement | OneFootball

CFO Julien Zamberk presents Eintracht Frankfurt Fußball AG’s financial figures for the 2024/25 season.

Almost exactly a year to the day since Oliver Frankenbach last took part in a press conference for Eintracht Frankfurt Fußball AG, his successor as chief financial officer, Julien Zamberk, presented Eintracht Frankfurt Fußball AG’s financial statement for the 2024/25 season on Thursday.

Record turnover level of previous year sustained

Eintracht Frankfurt Fußball AG, which turned 25 in July, achieved total revenue of €389.1 million in the 2024/25 season, sustaining the level of 2023/24. Last year saw record turnover of €390.5 million posted.

After record transfer revenues of €143.2 million were the main driver of revenue and earnings growth in the previous season, transfer revenues of €118.6 million along with participation in the UEFA Europa League once again played a key role in 2024/25.

The Europa League was largely responsible for the 16.5 percent increase in media revenues to €107.9 million. Thanks to the six home games played in the European competition, one home fixture in the DFB Cup and higher hospitality revenues in Bundesliga operations, matchday revenues also increased by 15.4 percent to €57.8 million compared to the previous season.

Income from marketing, which reflects not only traditional sponsorship but also the positive business development of the subsidiaries, increased by six percent to €75.8 million.

In addition, merchandising generated revenue of €23.5 million, which represents a slight increase on the previous season's record year.

Overview of 2024/25 revenue

Two main reasons for expenditure increases

Expenditure, including financial results and taxes, rose by just over nine percent to €397.5 million. This was mainly due to investments in the playing squad and sporting success in the Europa League and Bundesliga.

Personnel spending in particular rose by 25.4 percent to €177.3 million, mainly due to the payment of contractually agreed bonuses to the men’s first team for reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League by finishing third in the Bundesliga table. The personnel expenditure ratio thus rose again, but at 45.6 percent remained at an average level compared to other Bundesliga clubs.

In addition, depreciation jumped by 34 percent to €46.0 million, largely as a consequence of investments made in the squad. The depreciation rate was 11.8 percent.

Other operating expenses, which include expenses related to transfer proceeds and the residual values of player departures, were reduced from €165.7 million to €155.4 million. The operating expense ratio stood at 39.9 per cent.

Material costs for merchandising rose by 10.1 percent to €13.4 million in the last contract year of the partnership with equipment supplier Nike. The financial result – interest expenses for financing the ProfiCamp at Deutsche Bank Park and for overdraft facilities – amounted to €5.4 million.

Overview of 2024/25 expenditure

Equity rises significantly, debt increases slightly

Despite the net loss for the year of €8.3 million, equity rose significantly from €51.7 million to €69 million due to the successful increase in capital. However, the equity ratio fell slightly by 0.5 percentage points to 20.6 percent due to the simultaneous increase in total assets. In addition to the increase in capital, the main drivers for the increase in total assets from €245.0 million to €334.5 million were investments in the squad and a related increase in player values in fixed assets, as well as receivables and liabilities from transfer activities.

Financial debt rose by around five percent from €68.2 million to €71.8 million, while the debt ratio, measured against the higher total assets, fell from 27.8 percent to 21.5 percent. 

“It’s pleasing that Eintracht Frankfurt Fußball AG was able to back up its record-breaking 2023/24 season with revenue of nearly €390 million in the past financial year,” said Zamberk. “In addition to revenue growth in the operational units, revenue from transfers and UEFA competitions once again played a decisive role, underscoring their strategic importance for Eintracht Frankfurt. Qualifying for the UEFA Champions League via the Bundesliga marked a new sporting milestone, bringing with it new revenue opportunities but also new financial challenges. The successful implementation of the capital increase at the end of the past season enabled us to take an important step towards strengthening our capital base in order to meet these challenges. On this basis, we can build on further concepts to successfully continue Eintracht Frankfurt's growth course.”