Bundesliga revenues are projected to reach about 300 million euros in the 2025-26 season, according to DPA. By comparison, the Premier League generates roughly 3.3 billion euros and Spain’s La Liga nearly one billion.
Critics point to the 50-plus-one ownership rule as a key obstacle. The regulation requires clubs to retain majority control, limiting outside investment at a time when rival European leagues welcome foreign capital. Germany’s reluctance to stage domestic competitions abroad has also drawn scrutiny, particularly after Spain’s Super Cup final between Barcelona and Real Madrid was played in Saudi Arabia and attracted a global audience.
League association CEO Steffen Merkel described the Bundesliga as “in the role of a challenger” in the international revenue race. Bayern chairman Jan-Christian Dreesen warned the league is falling significantly behind and called for greater international visibility, new markets and openness to competitions such as the FIFA Club World Cup. He said little progress has been made over the past decade.
Others argue Bayern’s national dominance is itself part of the problem, urging a more equitable distribution of revenue to help smaller clubs compete. Bayern has won 12 of the past 13 league titles and is on course for another in 2025-26, leading by 11 points after 16 rounds.
The numbers underline the gap. Bayern has scored 63 league goals, more than double second-placed Borussia Dortmund’s 29 and third-placed RB Leipzig’s 30. England captain Harry Kane last weekend equaled a 60-year-old record during an 8-1 win over Wolfsburg, by scoring more than 20 league goals in each of his first three Bundesliga seasons. Wingers Luis Diaz and Michael Olise have combined for 38 scoring contributions in 16 matches, drawing comparisons with former stars Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery.
Coach Vincent Kompany praised the performances but stressed that only titles define greatness. “Robben and Ribery won just about everything,” he said, adding that Bayern’s ambitions extend beyond domestic trophies to international success, including the Champions League. Bayern’s current average of 3.94 goals per game leads all major European leagues.
Former Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn has called the club’s dominance “unhealthy,” urging the league to rethink revenue distribution and talent development. He also warned of a widening gap between the Premier League and La Liga and the rest of Europe, including the Bundesliga, Italy’s Serie A and France’s Ligue 1.
