Inter Milan’s financial magic: profit despite a revenue drop

Inter Milan closes 2025/26 in profit even after losing over $120 million in income, thanks to sharp cost control and smarter revenue strategies

How can Inter Milan close its books in profit with €115 million ($125 million)  less revenue compared to the previous season? It sounds like financial alchemy. Yet, that’s exactly what Inter Milan achieved in 2025/2026.

After the high of a Champions League final and the Club World Cup, revenue inevitably dropped. 

But despite this, Inter Milan will still post a positive balance sheet, much to the delight of Oaktree.

Let’s break down how this unlikely feat became reality.

Falling revenues, rising control: where Inter Milan made the difference

The Revenue Drop

Exiting early in European competitions cost Inter Milan heavily:

• Around ($22 million) €20 million lost in ticket sales
• About ($71 million) €65 million less from UEFA prizes
• Missing ($34 million) €31 million from the FIFA Club World Cup

As a result, last season’s record revenue of ($592 million) €545 million (excluding player trading) dropped significantly in 2025/26.

TV rights also shrank dramatically:

Champions League income fell from ($149 million) €137 million to about ($76 million–$82 million) €70–75 million

Loss of Club World Cup revenue further impacted totals

Overall TV rights are estimated at ($185 million) €170 million, down from ($287 million) €264 million.

Commercial strength & stadium growth

Here’s where Inter Milan flexed its business muscle.

Stadium revenues exceeded ($98 million) €90 million, only slightly below last year’s ($108 million) €99 million, but with a 15% increase per match

Sponsorships, advertising, and merchandising rose from ($154 million) €142 million to over ($163 million) €150 million.

This growth didn’t happen by accident. Under revenue chief Giorgio Ricci, Inter Milan:

• Adjusted season ticket pricing
• Optimized ticketing strategies 
• Boosted hospitality offerings
• Secured improved sponsorship deals
• Expanded global brand visibility 

An additional ($22 million+) €20 million+ came from a one-off compensation payment by IMG for past international rights.

Total revenue is expected to land around ($511 million) €470 million.

Player trading has already added over ($33 million) €30 million, surpassing last season’s ($24 million) €22 million.

Cutting costs without cutting quality

If revenue dipped, costs were trimmed with surgical precision.

Inter Milan reduced squad costs by ($22 million–$27 million) €20–25 million through:

• Departures of high earners like Pavard, Correa, Taremi, and Arnautovic
• Lower coaching costs, with Chivu earning ($2.7 million) €2.5 million net versus Inzaghi’s ($7 million) €6.5 million

Bonuses were also lower overall, despite $6.5 million €6 million allocated for the Scudetto win.

Total costs are expected around ($500 million) €460 million, down from ($524 million) €482 million.

The Bond Effect

A quieter but crucial move came from refinancing.

Inter Milan issued a new ($380 million) €350 million bond (maturing 2030):

• Lower than the previous ($450 million) €415 million
• Reduced interest rate: 4.5% vs 6.75%

This alone cuts financial expenses by about ($22 million) €20 million.

Final balance

The final numbers tell a story of discipline:

2024/25: ($54 million) €50 million pre-tax profit, ($38 million) €35 million net

2025/26 estimate: ($22 million–$27 million) €20–25 million pre-tax

Net profit: over ($11 million) €10 million

Inter Milan didn’t just win on the pitch.
They turned a financial storm into a controlled glide, trimming the sails, adjusting course, and still docking in profit.

Source: Fcinter1908