With the start of the Betclic 1 Liga season 2024/25 just around the corner, teams are gearing up through rigorous pre-season preparations and friendly matches. Clubs are not only fine-tuning their tactics but are also witnessing remarkable growth in attendance and revenue.
Stal Stalowa Wola, for example, recently played two friendly matches to sharpen their skills before the league starts. Their first match against Wieczysta Kraków ended with the home team trailing 0-3 at halftime. Goals from Chuma and Lisandro Semedo put the visiting side comfortably ahead. Stal, not deterred, made tactical adjustments during the break, with Kamil Wojtkowski scoring twice and Damian Urban adding another as they came back to finish the game at 3-4.
For their second match against Chełmianka, Stal switched players, using new signings and trialists to evaluate their potential. Although they managed to score only once, the outcome was less favorable, resulting in a 1-4 loss.
Meanwhile, Stal Rzeszów's match featured unexpected drama. They managed to come back from behind against Sandecja Nowy Sącz, who led 1-0 thanks to Rafał Wolsztyński's goal. The pivotal moment came after another incident where Sandecja's goalkeeper, Jakub Bednarek, suffered an injury when an analytical camera fell during play. This injury led to the return of Martin Polacek to the goal, but Rzeszów surged late, with decisive goals from Haris Duljević and Michał Musik securing their 2-1 victory.
The anticipation is mounting as two historic Polish clubs prepare to clash. Ruch Chorzów will host Wisła Kraków on February 22nd, and it's shaping up to be one of the most anticipated matches of the season. Both teams have rich histories, with Ruch boasting 14 championships and Wisła holding 13. The match is expected to attract significant attention, with over 40,000 tickets already sold, indicating it could break attendance records this season.
Financially, the Betclic 1 Liga clubs are thriving, generating record revenues. A report by Grant Thornton highlights how clubs enjoyed quarter of a billion złotys during the 2023/2024 season, marking over 50 million zł increase from the previous year. This resurgence is largely credited to the increased attendance, with more than 1.5 million fans attending last season's matches, reflecting growing interest and engagement with the league.
The renewed enthusiasm for live sports and the efforts of clubs to modernize their facilities and improve the matchday experience are components contributing to this remarkable financial performance. Clubs focusing on engaging fans beyond the field, with initiatives such as enhanced hospitality and entertainment offerings, have seen significant returns.
The upcoming season not only promises thrilling matches but also hints at continued growth for the Betclic 1 Liga. Fans are eager to return, and clubs are ready to capitalize on this momentum.