Richest Football Clubs in the World

The 10 richest football clubs in the world, according to Forbes rankings, will be examined in this article. Over the years, football has transformed into a tremendously lucrative industry for players, club owners, and administrators. Although football clubs have benefited greatly from the large number of spectators who watch matches on television and online, the consequence is that supporters now have to spend more money (premium value) to actively cheer for and support their favorite teams.

In 2024, the average worth of the world’s wealthiest football teams hit $2.3 billion, adding up to a total value of nearly $45.7 billion, according to Forbes. This is an increase of 5.1% over last year.

The Top Ten Richest Football Clubs in the World

10. Arsenal – $2.6 billion

The Gunners’ operational income was $140 million in the past 12 months, leading to a 15% increase in value.

Stanley Kroenke’s club is worth $2.6 billion and had $140 million in operational income.

Thanks to Mikel Arteta’s guidance, Arsenal’s youthful roster has matured and improved, allowing the club to mount consistent title challenges in recent seasons.

9. Chelsea – $3.1 billion

The club, which is owned by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, is presently valued at $3.1 billion, and its value increased by 1%. The club’s operational income was -$400,000, which was quite small.

Since Boehly took over in May 2022, their finances have been under intense scrutiny, and Stamford Bridge will undoubtedly continue to do the same in the months ahead.

The Boehly era’s kit sponsorship deals have been all the rage, and in 2023–24, Infinite Athlete will make its debut on the front of the shirts.

8. Tottenham – $3.2 billion

The current valuation of Tottenham is $3.2 billion, reflecting a notable 14% growth in value.

The club brought in $161 million in revenue for its owners, Daniel Levy and the Joseph Lewis Family Trust.

The North London club’s new stadium has been a huge financial boon, as match-day revenue now accounts for over 20% of their total earnings.

7. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) – $4.4 billion

Les Parisiens have lost in three straight years. The club is still very valuable to Qatar Sports Investments, even though they lost $126 million running the team.

A 4% gain brought PSG’s value to $4.4 billion.

However, Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe have all left the team in the past 18 months, so there has been a shakeup in the squad’s core.

6. Bayern Munich – $5 billion

Operating income for the member-owned club came to $84 million. With a 3% increase, the Bundesliga giants’ worth jumped to $5 billion.

The 2022–23 season was the most lucrative for Bayern Munich’s advertising budget in football history. They increased their annual investment in their collaboration with T-Mobile from £20 million to £40 million.

5. Manchester City – $5.1 billion

Manchester City achieved their greatest revenue ever in 2022–23 thanks to their unbelievable treble win. With a current valuation of $5.1 billion, the club is owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

With an operational income of $148 million, the Cityzens witnessed a 2% rise in value.

4. Liverpool – $5.37 billion

Funds for the club have been increased thanks to sponsorship deals with Carlsberg and AXA. A 2% increase brought Liverpool’s value to $5.37 billion.

Thanks to new sponsorship partnerships with Peloton, UPS, and Google, the club has made hundreds of millions of dollars.

John Henry and Tom Werner, the club’s owners, made $102 million from operations.

3. Barcelona – $5.6 billion

Despite a $145 million operational deficit in the last 12 months, the Spanish giants’ worth increased by 2%, putting them at $5.6 billion.

Lionel Messi’s uneasy exit was a result of the club’s well-documented financial struggles over the past several seasons. Camp Nou, Europe’s biggest football stadium, is now undergoing renovations, thus Barcelona will soon have access to a huge asset.

2. Manchester United – $6.55 billion

With a valuation of $6.55 billion, Manchester United is the second most valuable football club this year. Sir Jim Ratcliffe paid $33 a share in February for a 27.7 percent ownership in the club, valuing it at $6.5 billion. But right now, a share of team stock only costs $17 on the market.

With an operational income of $187 million, the club is primarily owned by the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe. With the investment of Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, Manchester United now has new hope at Old Trafford.

Chris Marangi, a portfolio manager at Gabelli Funds, claims that the discontent of Manchester United fans with the ownership of the Glazer family and the team’s underwhelming performance in the English Premier League have led to an undervaluation of the club’s shares. The price per share would probably be far greater than $33 if the team were sold under Sheikh Jassim’s supervision, as he did last year.

1. Real Madrid – $6.6 billion

At $6.6 billion, Real Madrid is the wealthiest football club in the world. Real Madrid has been at the top of the list for three years in a row and eight times in the last eleven years. The club’s outstanding on-field performance led to the biggest revenue generation among the top 30 clubs, totaling $873 million.

From 2004–05 to 2014–15, Real were unrivaled, but since then, Manchester United, Barcelona, and Manchester City have taken turns being number one, limiting Real’s reign to just two years.

The Real Madrid commercial revenue has been significantly boosted by a multi-million dollar agreement with HP.

They maintained their position as the wealthiest people in the world for a record three years running in 2022–23, thanks to an 8% increase in revenue from the previous season.

Six Champions League medals, four European Super Cups, and four Club World Cups are among Real Madrid’s fifteen international victories since 2014.

Members control the club, which made $76 million in operational income last year.

Due to the ownership of over 90,000 club members, investing in Real Madrid is not feasible, despite the club’s immense value.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Top 10 Richest Football Clubs

Q: What is the richest football club in the world?

A: Real Madrid is currently the richest football club in the world.

Q: How is the ranking of the richest football clubs determined?

A: The ranking is typically based on factors such as revenue, net worth, and market valuation.

Q: Which football league has the most clubs on the list?

A: The English Premier League has the most clubs in the top 10.

Q: How did Manchester United become the second-richest football club?

A: Manchester United’s recent investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe contributed to its significant increase in value.

Q: Why is Real Madrid the richest football club?

A: Real Madrid’s consistent success on the field, strong commercial partnerships, and large fanbase have contributed to its wealth.

Q: What is the impact of player transfers on a club’s financial value?

A: High-profile player transfers can significantly impact a club’s finances, both positively and negatively.

Q: How do clubs generate revenue?

A: Clubs primarily generate revenue through ticket sales, merchandise, sponsorship deals, and broadcasting rights.

Q: What is the significance of operational income for football clubs?

A: Operational income reflects a club’s profitability and can influence its overall financial health.

Q: How does the ownership structure of a football club affect its financial performance?

A: The ownership structure can play a significant role in a club’s financial decisions and strategies.