Assessing football efficiency under a hierarchical framework: the big five leagues

Purpose This study evaluates the simultaneous efficiency of Europe’s Big Five football leagues and their affiliated teams, providing actionable insights for investors, sponsors and decision-makers. Design/methodology/approach A Bi-Level Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model was applied to assess efficiency at both league and team levels over six seasons (2014/15–2019/20). The model incorporates financial, sporting and operational inputs and outputs, enabling a hierarchical evaluation that reflects the interdependence between teams and leagues. Findings Results indicate that the Bundesliga achieved the highest average efficiency, while Serie A recorded the lowest. Teams with balanced cost-to-revenue ratios, higher average ball possession and consistent point accumulation were more efficient. The model also revealed inefficiencies in high-spending clubs such as Juventus FC and Paris Saint-Germain, highlighting the impact of disproportionate expenditure. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced revenues and overall league efficiency in the 2019/20 season. Practical implications The findings offer a data-driven framework for guiding investment and sponsorship decisions in professional football. Efficient teams and leagues represent better opportunities for financial backing, as they demonstrate sustainable performance and resource utilization. League administrators can utilize these insights to promote financial discipline, enhance competitive balance and refine their strategic planning. Originality/value This study introduces a multi-level DEA approach to evaluating football performance, bridging the gap between micro (team) and macro (league) analyses. By integrating financial and sporting metrics, it provides a comprehensive decision-support tool for stakeholders seeking to optimize returns and sustain the growth of the football industry.