1. FC Kaiserslautern has seen a financial boost from its DFB-Pokal run, reporting a surplus of 4.7 million euros for the 2023/2024 financial year, despite ongoing debt challenges of approximately 5.5 million euros. The club’s membership numbers surged to a record 33,910, with plans for a “Fan Pillar” to allow share purchases by fans. Future stability depends on a new stadium lease and investment in youth facilities to enhance their development programs.
Financial Overview of 1. FC Kaiserslautern
The impressive pre-season performance in the DFB-Pokal has resulted in a significant financial surplus for the professional division of 1. FC Kaiserslautern. Nevertheless, the club continues to grapple with elevated levels of debt.
Approximately 1,500 dedicated members of FCK gathered for their annual general meeting (AGM), with around 260 attending in person in the stadium’s VIP area. Meanwhile, the remaining members enjoyed the meeting from the comfort of their homes, tuning in via a livestream.
The club’s future hinges on the prosperity of its capital company, which reported a surplus of 4.7 million euros for the 2023/2024 financial year, as disclosed by Managing Director Thomas Hengen during the AGM. A notable portion of this success stemmed from additional revenues of 8.3 million euros generated by the DFB-Pokal, where the Palatinate team narrowly lost in the final to Bayer Leverkusen.
Club Membership and Financial Challenges
According to Chairman Wolfgang Erfurt, “The economic and sporting well-being of the capital company is intricately linked to the club’s overall health.” He emphasized the urgent need for the club to establish a solid foundation, indicating that recent developments have provided a more stable base.
1. FC Kaiserslautern e.V. has reported another favorable outcome, with a slight decrease in surplus by 50,000 euros from the previous year, totaling 304,000 euros. The primary source of the club’s revenue continues to be member contributions, which reached 2.396 million euros in the 2023/24 financial year.
Board member Tobias Frey expressed optimism about the club’s progress, stating, “The development of the club is on the right track. The membership fees are vital for our survival.” Deputy Chairman Gero Scira announced a record membership of 33,910, with aspirations to surpass 40,000 by the end of 2026. “Your dedication, loyalty, and passion are crucial for our collective success,” Scira told the members during the evening.
Despite the positive annual results, the club still faces significant financial challenges. Supervisory Board Chairman Rainer Keßler revealed that the club carries approximately 5.5 million euros in debt, a remnant of a planned insolvency of its subsidiary back in 2020. “Reducing this debt is our top priority,” Keßler affirmed.
In 2025, FCK plans to introduce a “Fan Pillar,” allowing members and fans to purchase shares, a concept under consideration since the 2018 spin-off, with a potential launch in 2026.
The future of the club also heavily relies on a new stadium lease agreement. A draft for the new lease of the Fritz Walter Stadium has been created but awaits approval from the city council. Keßler stated, “Revising the lease agreement is a significant challenge, and we hope for the city council’s support.” This agreement aims to provide the FCK with long-term planning security, although the aging stadium presents its own set of challenges.
Managing Director Thomas Hengen emphasized the need for a youth stadium at the youth performance center in Fröhnerhof, describing it as “an investment in the sustainability of our youth.” Following the AGM, Hengen elaborated to SWR that an additional football field, equipped with underfloor heating, is necessary for the youth performance center.
“To compete with our U21 team in the regional league over the medium term, we must meet specific requirements,” Hengen stressed, noting that a new facility would address current space constraints at the performance center, particularly concerning locker room facilities for the youth teams.