BERLIN, May 1 — Fueled by massive crowds, dramatic matches, and the presence of historic clubs like Hamburg and Schalke, Germany’s second-tier football league, Bundesliga 2, has shattered the €1 billion revenue mark, becoming Europe’s richest second division.
BERLIN, May 1 — Fueled by massive crowds, dramatic matches, and the presence of historic clubs like Hamburg and Schalke, Germany’s second-tier football league, Bundesliga 2, has shattered the €1 billion revenue mark, becoming Europe’s richest second division.
According to data from the German Football League (DFL), average attendance in the 2024–25 season hit 30,329 — surpassing that of Spain’s La Liga (29,875) and France’s Ligue 1 (27,173).
Remarkably, on a February 2024 matchday, Bundesliga 2 outdrew even the Bundesliga — the world’s best-attended top-flight league — a feat that has since been repeated multiple times.
Former World Cup winner Jürgen Klinsmann, who once played in the league with Stuttgarter Kickers, praised the electric atmosphere, calling it “absolutely insane” and “really fun to watch” from his home in Los Angeles.
In the 2023–24 season, Bundesliga 2’s 18 clubs collectively generated over €1 billion (RM4.87 billion) in revenue, outpacing England’s Championship, which earned £749 million in 2022–23. With 947 goals scored — the most in over two decades — fans are getting top value for their money.
While Bayern Munich dominate the Bundesliga, Bundesliga 2 has seen 10 different champions over the past 10 seasons, adding to its reputation for unpredictability.
Manu Veth, a Canadian-German journalist with Forbes and Transfermarkt, highlighted both the quality and volatility of the league. He also noted that in football-loving Germany — Europe’s most populous nation — several major clubs remain stuck outside the top tier due to the limited 18-team format in the Bundesliga.
Clubs like Cologne, Hertha Berlin, Nuremberg, Kaiserslautern, Hannover, and Fortuna Düsseldorf — all former champions — continue to draw huge fanbases despite their current second-division status.
Former Schalke and Norwich coach David Wagner noted that the presence of these “big, big clubs” has turned the current season into a landmark for Bundesliga 2.
Klinsmann added that long-standing fan loyalty plays a crucial role. “You have these traditional powerhouses with fan bases over 100 years old. The identification is so strong that supporters continue to back them in the second league. They just enjoy the ride.”
He compared the league to Italy’s Serie B, where his son Jonathan plays for Cesena, but said Germany’s packed stadiums and community culture are unmatched.
Veth echoed that sentiment, noting that most clubs in Germany are member-owned and deeply rooted in their communities, creating a unique resilience and momentum — especially in difficult times. — AFP
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