Roger Hampel
Photo Credit: FC Schalke 04
FC Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04 e.V. has released its financial results for the shortened fiscal year of 2024, covering January 1 to June 30, 2024. Following a 2023 decision by club members to shift the fiscal year to align with the football season, Schalke’s finances now operate on a July-to-June calendar cycle. This shift, as explained by Christina Rühl-Hamers, Schalke’s CFO, enhances transparency and aligns financial reporting with the seasonal performance, making it easier to compare and analyze outcomes.
Financial Overview and Key Metrics FC Schalke 04 Financial Results
For the first half of 2024, Schalke’s revenue reached €74.3 million, compared to €168.3 million for the full previous year. This decrease reflects the shorter reporting period and the absence of Bundesliga revenue from the 2023 season. Importantly, Schalke managed to reduce its total liabilities from €168.1 million to €162.7 million, with net financial debt also falling from €128.5 million to €114.7 million. The club’s net result showed a slight deficit of €0.6 million, primarily due to structural changes in the sports department and an off-peak revenue period for the January transfer window.
Schalke’s equity deficit increased slightly from €103.3 million to €104 million, which Rühl-Hamers noted as an ongoing focus: “Improving equity remains critical for us. Based on our current planning, we aim to meet equity improvement targets within the 2024 calendar year.” FC Schalke 04 Financial Results
Cost-Cutting and Structural Adjustments
Since Schalke’s relegation in the 2020/2021 season and the challenges of the pandemic years, the club has undertaken extensive restructuring to maintain financial stability and competitiveness. Schalke has reduced its workforce by over 50 positions since pre-pandemic levels, now employing just over 200 staff. These changes have led to around €10 million in annual cost savings, positioning Schalke to remain financially stable regardless of league performance. “Streamlining our operations has allowed us to become more effective and adaptable, ensuring we’re equipped to handle future demands,” Rühl-Hamers stated.
Ambitions for Bundesliga Promotion
Schalke’s mid-term objective is a return to the Bundesliga, a move that would significantly increase media revenue. Currently, Schalke’s media earnings have dropped from €77 million in 2020/2021 to approximately €22 million in 2023/2024. “TV revenue is a crucial part of our financial planning, and the existing distribution system doesn’t fully account for the economic impact fan-heavy clubs bring to German football,” added Rühl-Hamers, emphasizing the need for changes to better support teams with substantial fan followings.
With a membership base of roughly 190,000 and millions of fans worldwide, Schalke’s home games attract an average of 61,300 fans per match at the VELTINS-Arena, ranking third across all German leagues in attendance. Schalke also stands as the only second-division club among Europe’s top 16 teams for match attendance, holding 14th in the UEFA rankings.
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