For the fourth consecutive year and the ninth time in the past 12 years, Real Madrid has topped the ranking of the world’s most valuable soccer clubs with a valuation of $6.75 billion, according to the business magazine Forbes. Achieving yet another feat, has officially become the first soccer club in history to rake in over $1 billion in annual revenue.
Manchester United trails at $6.6B
Real posted a record $1.13 billion in revenue for the 2023-24 season, . To put that into perspective, only one other sports franchise in the world, , has reached 10-figure earnings in a year. Coming in at a close second is England’s Manchester United, valued at $6.6 billion. Real’s LaLiga rival, Barcelona, sits in third at $5.65 billion, followed by Liverpool and Manchester City.
30 most valuable soccer teams: worth over $72 billion
Cumulatively, the 30 most valuable soccer teams have a valuation of over $72 billion. This translates to an average of $2.4 billion, which is up 5 percent from 2024’s record $2.26 billion, according to Forbes. Meanwhile, with 12 clubs in the top 30, England’s Premier League is still the financial engine of world football. Of the 12, four teams are from Italy’s Serie A, three from Spain’s La Liga, two from Germany’s Bundesliga and one from France’s Ligue 1. Six of the Premier League sides were among the top 10 most valuable teams, with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea making the list after Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. The magazine also noted that eight Major League Soccer clubs made the cut, led by LAFC at $1.25 billion.
As per Forbes, continental competitions largely benefit European clubs. This is based on how far teams advance, as there are hefty payouts that come in the form of prize money. For example, Real Madrid’s run to the UEFA Champions League title delivered $154 million in prize money. Additionally, with a $1.9 billion overhaul of the historic Santiago Bernabéu now complete, the Spanish club unlocked new streams of match-day income—from VIP lounges to retractable pitch events. Meanwhile, deep runs in the Champions League or Europa League can also transform a team’s financial year, with Atlanta United FC earning about $38 million.
Upcoming FIFA Club Word Cup 2025
In related news, the ‘FIFA Club World Cup 2025’ is drawing near, scheduled to take place in the United States from 14 June to 13 July 2025. All 32 club teams from around the world will participate, including the last four continental champions. Real Madrid holds the record for the most Club World Cup trophies, having won it five times, including three consecutive victories from 2016 to 2018. Barcelona has won the tournament three times, with their most recent triumph in 2015.
The tournament will also introduce a series of groundbreaking technological innovations to enhance the experience for players and fans. One of the most significant advancements will be the official match ball, designed to assist referees in making accurate decisions thanks to state-of-the-art technology. This initiative is part of a sport deeply rooted in tradition but increasingly embracing modern advancements.
