BVB clearly ahead of FC Bayern in one category

The UEFA report provides information on spectator numbers, transfer spending and playing time in the previous year. German clubs are also at the top.

Munich – Every year, UEFA examines European club football. The report from the previous season has now been published and provides some very exciting findings.

UEFA report: New fan record – BVB clearly ahead of FC Bayern

Borussia Dortmund, for example, is the biggest spectator club. Across all competitions, around 1.95 million fans attended the Champions League finalists' home games. This puts BVB ahead of AC Milan (1.86 million) and Manchester United (1.83 million). FC Bayern (1.73 million) is in sixth place.

However, the comparison does suggest that the clubs played different numbers of home games in the league, cup and European competitions. The average number of spectators in league games is better in comparison: BVB (81,305) leads the rankings ahead of Bayern (75,000), whose Allianz Arena has a smaller capacity than Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park, and United (73,534). In German Bundesliga stadiums, an average of 39,500 fans attended each game. In general, Europe's top-flight football set a new record with 111 million spectators.

UEFA report shows expulsions and transfer spending

When it came to transfer spending in the summer, clubs were a little more frugal than last year. 6.7 billion euros were spent on new players – a decrease of eight percent compared to the record in 2023. Interestingly, 53 percent of all transfer fees were invested in players aged 23 and younger.

The report reveals an astonishing number with regard to coaches – who are almost everywhere in a hot seat. According to the report, 63 percent of top division clubs across Europe changed their coach at least once last season – an increase of one percent compared to the previous season.

UEFA: More playing time in the leagues and more professionals were used

The playing time has also increased: a quarter of all league games lasted longer than 100 minutes. In 34 of 42 leagues, the amount of extra time increased. On average, the games now lasted 98.2 minutes, and in the English Premier League it was even 101.6 minutes.

This also affects the number of players used. On average, each club used 30 professionals last season. (Philipp Kessler)