Barcelona FC records net loss of €91 million, despite having a positive ordinary result

FC Barcelona Board of Directors convened today for a session to ratify the closure of accounts for the 2023/24 fiscal year and the projected budget for the 2024/25 season. Both will require approval by the club’s delegate members at the Ordinary General Assembly. They declared a net loss of €91 million for the 2023-24 season.

However, President Joan Laporta emphasized that the club has successfully halted the economic decline of recent years and reaffirmed the forecast of positive ordinary profits (€12 million), as previously announced at the Barça Senate meeting on June 12th and during his press conference on September 3rd.

Highlights from the Fiscal Year 23-24

Barcelona achieved a new all-time sponsorship revenue record of over €210 million. Their merchandising subsidiary, BLM, has experienced a record turnover of nearly €110 million, a 72% increase from 2018.

Additionally, Barcelona has recorded substantial profits from player transfers, with departures such as Dembélé, Kessie, Nico, Abde, Chadi, and Marc Guiu amounting to over €80 million. They also successfully reduced payroll by €170 million, bringing it down from €670 million to just over €500 million as announced at the beginning of last season. This move aligns the club with UEFA's recommended ratios while ensuring a competitive performance.

The club has taken proactive steps to carefully review and limit non-sporting expenses, focusing on essential operational costs to ensure smooth functioning. This strategy has undergone thorough evaluation by La Liga.

Their decision to play at the Estadi Olímpic led to a significant reduction in annual ordinary revenue, amounting to over €100 million. To mitigate this loss, the club expedited the redevelopment of Spotify Camp Nou.

Additionally, the club adopted an investment restraint policy, resulting in a substantial decrease in total investments compared to previous years. These measures collectively contributed to a positive ordinary result of €12 million, successfully meeting the 2023/24 budget target for the ordinary section.

However, pertaining to non-payment of €141m before taxes by some investment partners involved, the club closed the 2023-24 consolidated result with a net loss of €91m.

Plans for the Current Season 

The men's first team will be playing at the Estadi Olímpic for the first half of the season and will then return to a partially opened Spotify Camp Nou for the second half. The club is approaching the new UCL format with caution, budgeting similar amounts as in previous seasons.

The projected payroll for the 2024/25 season remains stable at approximately €500 million. The club anticipates a positive ordinary result of €5 million for the 2024/25 season, ensuring a positive EBITDA rating and laying the foundations for the 2025/26 season.

Sponsorship revenue is expected to increase significantly, reaching a total of over €250 million. The club also expects continued growth in physical and e-commerce sales, forecasting over €125 million in revenue.