Real Madrid tops club valuations with $7.7 billion, as Barcelona, Manchester United make top five

Real Madrid is once again the most valuable football club in the world, according to new rankings by Sportico.

The club is valued at $7.7 billion, ahead of FC Barcelona at $6.65 billion. Manchester United follows at $6.47 billion, with Bayern Munich ($5.78 billion) and Liverpool ($5.74 billion) rounding out the top five.

In total, the 50 most valuable clubs are now worth $95.5 billion, up 11% year-on-year, the biggest increase since Sportico started the rankings.

That growth comes at a time when global sports assets are attracting increased investor attention, particularly from private equity firms and sovereign-backed funds looking for long-term returns tied to media and entertainment.

Losses rise despite record valuations

The strong valuations come against a different financial reality across clubs.

According to Sportico, Premier League clubs posted a combined $1.05 billion loss before interest and taxes in the 2024/25 season.

Chelsea recorded the biggest deficit at $346 million, while only four clubs made profits.

There were also one-off moves that changed the picture. Newcastle United reported a $58 million gain after selling its stadium to an entity linked to its ownership. Without that deal, the club would have remained in a heavy loss position.

This reflects a wider pattern across European football, where clubs continue to spend aggressively on wages and transfers, often outpacing revenue growth.

Broadcast money still drives value

Broadcast revenue remains the key driver behind these valuations.

The Premier League’s domestic rights are worth about $2.3 billion per year, with international deals pushing total media income well ahead of other European leagues.

That advantage is reflected in the rankings. 16 Premier League clubs made the top 50, with six in the top 10.

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