Superliga survival worth more than championship windfall, economist warns

A single relegation from Denmark’s top football division can cost a club up to 30 million kroner (€4m), far outweighing the financial boost of winning the league title, according to sports economist Kenneth Cortsen.

With three teams battling to avoid the drop and two others fighting for the championship in the Danish Superliga, Cortsen—an associate professor at UCN—told public broadcaster DR that the economic stakes are far higher at the bottom of the table than at the top.

“It’s expensive to drop out of the top tier,” Cortsen said. “The losses quickly add up to 20–30 million kroner.” A relegated club faces reduced TV revenue, weaker sponsorship deals, lower ticket sales, and a shrinking player transfer market—all of which strain the entire business model.

For Silkeborg IF, Randers FC, and FC Fredericia, currently locked in a tight relegation battle, the consequences of finishing in the bottom two could be severe. Cortsen warned that prolonged absence from the Superliga compounds the damage: “If a club stays in the second division for more than one season, the pain intensifies. Sponsors may stick around for a quick rebound, but many will pull out if the struggle drags on.”

While relegation hits hard, a championship—like the one AGF and FC Midtjylland are contesting—brings significant but less immediate rewards. Cortsen noted that a title could lift player valuations, enhance the club’s brand, and open doors to the Champions League, where qualification alone delivers over 100 million kroner (€13.4m). Yet even that windfall pales next to the long-term costs of relegation.

Historical examples underscore the risks. Clubs like AaB, Esbjerg fB, and AC Horsens have struggled to recover after dropping out of the Superliga, with Esbjerg even suffering a second consecutive relegation to the third tier. “It becomes a negative spiral,” Cortsen explained. “Player values drop, sales may be forced under financial pressure, and attracting new partners grows difficult without a clear path back to the top flight.”