Arsenal set for £67m boost as Stan Kroenke continues major turnaround
Arsenal’s return to being a competitive force in the Premier League on a regular basis, as well as cementing their position as a Champions League club for successive seasons, has seen the club leapfrog three rivals in this year's Deloitte Football Money League report.
The Gunners, who have finished second in the Premier League in each of the last two seasons, ended their seven-year absence from the Champions League through qualifying in the 2022/23 campaign, and the additional broadcast money from both the improved domestic Premier League deal and the Champions League money, has proven impactful on the 2023/24 finances.
Liverpool failed to make last year's Champions League, instead having to make do with the Europa League after finishing fifth in 2022/23, and that year's absence has impacted their standing in the top 20, with the current Premier League leaders leapfrogged by Arsenal, who now sit in seventh on the list, up from tenth. Spurs now sit in ninth, while Chelsea occupy tenth.
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Deloitte’s Sports Business Group, which advises governments, investors, sport governing bodies and organisations, liaised with clubs ahead of the report’s publication to determine the headline figures, with Arsenal's total revenue for the 2023/24 financial year, according to the Money League data, sitting around £605.7million (€716.5million), which, if correct, would represent a rise of more than 30% year on year.
In the report, matchday income is placed at £129.7million (€153.4million), while commercial income sits at £218million (€257.8million). A major rise comes from broadcast revenue, with that figure standing at £258.2million (€305.4million). If correct, that would be a rise of 35% compared to the previous year, a bump of £67million.
It means that now Manchester United and Manchester City are the only Premier League clubs higher on the list than the Gunners, while Real Madrid once again lead the way by some margin.
Tim Bridge, lead partner in the Deloitte Sports Business Group, said: “Money League clubs continue to break records with ongoing growth in commercial and matchday revenues. "While on-pitch performance is critical for teams to reach the top echelons of the rankings, high performing clubs are also able to diversify the way they generate revenue through unlocking innovative partnerships and developing the land and stadium space that they own or operate.
“While commercial revenue dominates the income of the top ten Money League clubs, broadcast income remains crucial for teams in the second half of the rankings. "As competitions expand and create more broadcast and matchday opportunities, these can further increase the earning potential for clubs.
"At a time where there is more demand than ever for a greater number of matchdays, this must be balanced with player welfare, as they ultimately bring the on-field success that can earn clubs many further rewards off-field."
On the pitch, Arsenal made another big statement on Wednesday night as they beat Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium in the Champions League. The Gunners are now in third place in the standings with 16 points from seven games.