Hungarian football finances remain heavily dependent on centrally distributed funding rather than supporters buying tickets, according to a new analysis of the country’s top-flight league. NB I clubs generated more than HUF 63 billion (around EUR 173 million) in combined revenue in 2024, yet ticket and season-ticket sales contributed only about 4% of that total.

The figures were highlighted in an analysis published by Mfor, which examined how Hungary’s 12-team first division is financed and how the structure affects clubs’ business decisions.

For international readers, NB I – officially the OTP Bank Liga – is the highest tier of Hungarian club football and includes teams such as Ferencváros, Újpest and Paks.

Hungarian football finances rely far more on central money than fans

Corporate accounts analysed by G7 showed that NB I clubs collected roughly HUF 2.54 billion (EUR 7 million) from tickets and season tickets in 2024. Against total league revenue exceeding HUF 63 billion (EUR 173 million), matchday admission therefore generated only around 4% of revenue.

The difference becomes particularly striking when compared with the money distributed centrally for the current 2026/27 season.

The Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) announced in July that HUF 10.5 billion (EUR 28.9 million) will be distributed among the 12 NB I clubs during the season. The money is not divided equally, as payments depend partly on sporting and player-selection criteria.

By comparison, Mfor calculated that an entire season consisting of rounds with ticket income similar to the 2024/25 opening weekend would produce a theoretical gross ticket-value equivalent of about HUF 2.8 billion (EUR 7.7 million). The publication stressed that this is an estimate rather than clubs’ actual cash income.

Public broadcaster pays billions for television rights

Central financing is built from several major contracts.

According to the MLSZ, Hungary’s public broadcaster MTVA is paying HUF 6 billion (EUR 16.5 million) for broadcasting rights for the 2026/27 season. State-owned gambling company Szerencsejáték Zrt. is paying another HUF 6 billion (EUR 16.5 million) for marketing rights and HUF 3 billion (EUR 8.2 million) for betting rights. All three agreements run for only one season.

Mfor notes that the television-rights fee has fallen by 40% from the HUF 10 billion paid under the previous agreement. However, the additional Szerencsejáték funding means the amount available for redistribution to clubs has not fallen at the same rate.

Sports economist János Kele argued in the Mfor analysis that this funding structure weakens the immediate commercial incentive for clubs to maximise paying attendance. Supporters remain crucial for atmosphere, sponsorship appeal, community links and long-term brand value, he stressed, but their direct contribution at the turnstiles is relatively small.

Financial incentives can even affect team selection

The system also has a direct sporting dimension. Under the MLSZ rules, NB I clubs are encouraged financially to field Hungarian and young players. On average, five Hungarian players should be on the pitch, including one under-21 footballer.

As much as 45% of the NB I central distribution is linked to domestic and young-player minutes. On a HUF 10.5 billion central pool, that represents as much as HUF 4.725 billion (around EUR 13 million).

The incentive has already influenced decisions on the pitch. Mfor cited Nyíregyháza’s match against Újpest, when 19-year-old goalkeeper Mátyás Molnár came on at half-time. Head coach Tamás Bódog acknowledged afterwards that complying with the youth-player requirement was a factor in the substitution.

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Ferencváros operates on a different scale

The financial differences between individual Hungarian clubs are also substantial. According to the G7-based calculations cited by Mfor, Ferencváros had a budget approaching HUF 20 billion (EUR 55 million) in 2024, while smaller provincial clubs typically operated with HUF 2–3 billion (roughly EUR 5.5–8.2 million).

Paks, for example, recorded HUF 2.9 billion (EUR 8 million) in revenue while finishing third in the league and winning the Hungarian Cup. Ferencváros, meanwhile, benefits not only from a much larger budget but also from European competition, a larger stadium, a stronger commercial brand and greater visibility on the international transfer market.

Player sales brought NB I clubs HUF 9.3 billion (EUR 25.6 million) in 2024, close to 15% of overall revenue. However, Mfor notes that the MLSZ’s own strategy identifies Hungary as having the lowest share of player-sale income among the regional leagues it studied, as well as a negative net transfer balance.

Billions invested, but few international youth successes

Hungary’s record in men’s youth football offers another perspective on the sums flowing into the domestic game. Since 2010, Hungarian teams have qualified for the finals of a men’s youth European Championship through the qualifiers on only a handful of occasions. The standout period came at U17 level: Hungary reached the 2017 U17 European Championship, its first appearance at that tournament since 2006, and qualified again for the 2019 edition. UEFA records confirm both appearances. The 2019 side went one step further, earning a place at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Brazil through its performance at the European Championship, UEFA said.

Other tournament appearances during this period need some context. Hungary played at the 2014 U19 European Championship as the host nation, and its result there secured qualification for the 2015 FIFA U20 World Cup. UEFA explicitly listed Hungary as the host rather than one of the seven teams that qualified through the elite round. Similarly, Hungary participated in the 2021 U21 European Championship as co-host with Slovenia, while the 2023 U17 European Championship was also staged in Hungary, giving the home team an automatic place.

In other words, despite the considerable resources channelled into Hungarian football, 2019 remains the last time a Hungarian men’s youth national team qualified for a European Championship through the qualifying competition – and also the last time one earned a place at a youth World Cup on the pitch.

Conclusion

The figures illustrate the central question facing Hungarian football finances: whether clubs can gradually build a model based more strongly on supporters, commercial income and profitable player development, or whether their financial stability will continue to depend primarily on centrally negotiated and distributed funding. With the main broadcasting, marketing and betting agreements currently guaranteed for only the 2026/27 season, that debate is likely to remain highly relevant beyond the current campaign.

It is, however, very disheartening that in recent years the clubs have made no effort to increase attendance figures or sell their own branded merchandise, as they have essentially been receiving funding from the central budget. If, however, revenue from the fund decreases, they will have to adopt models similar to those of the major European clubs, where clubs encourage supporters to purchase season tickets and match tickets, for example.

Read more news about football in Hungary here.

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