Top 5 most valuable football teams worth $29B

Real Madrid

Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger celebrates in a match with RCD Mallorca at Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain, Jan. 3, 2024. Photo by Reuters

Spanish club Real Madrid is now the most valuable football team globally, with a valuation of $6.6 billion. This marks the third consecutive year it has held the top spot.

The team, which has won 35 domestic league championships, derives 36% of its valuation from commercial deals. Its valuation has risen 9% year-on-year to the highest in history.

Real Madrid earns an average of $205 million a year from its jersey sponsors, the most in football, according to Football Benchmark.

Manchester United

Manchester United players celebrate after winning the penalty shootout against Brighton at Wembley Stadium, London, Britain, April 23, 2023. Photo by Reuters

English team Manchester United, the winner of this year’s FA Cup, came in a close second with a $6.55 billion valuation.

The team has won 20 domestic league championship titles. In February, British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group acquired a 27% stake in the team for $1.3 billion, a move approved by the Premier League.

Ratcliffe also allocated $300 million for future investment in Old Trafford.

Barcelona

Barcelona players celebrate their third goal against Napoli during the Champions League last 16 second leg football match, in Barcelona, March 2024. Photo by AFP

In the third place is Barcelona of Spain with a $5.6 billion valuation.

Almost 40% of its value came from commercial deals, followed by broadcasting, 25%.

Barcelona claimed the La Liga title for the 27th time in club history in 2022/23, but is still far behind the 35 titles won by Real Madrid.

Its historic home stadium Camp Nou is being renovated until 2025-end to increase capacity.

Liverpool

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk clears the ball in the 0-2 loss to Everton at Goodison Park on April 24. Photo by AP

Two English teams secured the last places of the top five, with Liverpool ranked 4th at $5.37 billion.

Its biggest value contributor is broadcasting (36%), followed by commercial deals (34.5%).

Last month the team announced an extension of its partnership with global insurer AXA in late April. AXA has sponsored Liverpool since 2019, with the extension set to run through 2029 at $25 million per year.

Manchester City

Manchester City players celebrate winning the 2023-2024 Premier League title after a 3-1 victory over West Ham on May 19 at Etihad Stadium. Photo by Reuters

Wrapping up the list is Manchester City with a $5.1 billion valuation.

This year it became the first English club to win four Premier League titles in a row.

The top sponsors for the team include fashion brand PUMA and carrier Etihad Airways.