For all the Premier League’s financial might, it does not top every measure of popularity in European football. In terms of average stadium attendance, Germany’s Bundesliga was top of the class in 2025/26, drawing an average of 42,308 spectators per match, narrowly ahead of the Premier League’s 41,635. The English top flight had led the Bundesliga on this measure in 2024/25, but Germany’s top division, famous for its fan culture, reclaimed the title last season. Boosted by the returns of traditional giants Hamburg and Cologne, the Bundesliga recorded its highest spectator total since 2022/23, with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich topping Europe’s club attendance ranking.
While Germany may challenge the Premier League’s dominance at the turnstiles, the Bundesliga is no match for the English top flight in financial terms. According to UEFA’s latest Club Finance and Investment report, gate receipts at English top-division clubs totaled €1.06 billion in 2024 – almost twice the €563 million recorded by their German counterparts. The gap reflects the Premier League’s substantially higher ticket prices, while the Bundesliga is known for making match-going comparatively affordable, especially for season-ticket holders. In short, German football attracts more fans per game, but English clubs earn far more from each seat.
That contrast is particularly visible at Borussia Dortmund. Despite leading Europe in average stadium attendance, the club ranked only 23rd in terms of gate revenue per match in 2024. Looking at gate revenue per visitor, the club only ranked 87th in Europe, far behind Paris Saint-Germain, the leading club in that metric.
