The ranking of the richest football clubs in the world can change over time due to various factors such as revenue streams, sponsorship deals, and success on the field. However, as of the latest available information, here is a list of some of the top 10 richest football clubs:
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The world's top 10 richest football clubs
Football is not just a game, it is a cult and one of the most popular sports in the world. It is a cult, which is followed by billions of people around the earth.
Football players are being treated as nothing less than a celebrity in this era and that has obvious reasons. Deloitte has come up with the Football Money League list this year as well. And the most shocking news for the football fans out there is that Manchester United’s decade-long reign is over.
1. Real Madrid – $5.1 Billion
Real Madrid is of no doubt the richest club in the world right now with a net value of $5.1 Billion as of the year 2023.
It plays in the Spanish La Liga and is arguably the best soccer team in the world, at least financially, as of 2023. Its annual income is $761 million, and its operating income is $90 million.
Real Madrid also generated €251.3 Million through their broadcast rights and €143.4 Million from their ticket sales. But, their total valuation almost remains the same even after the departure of super-costly footballers such as Cristiano Ronaldo.
2. FC Barcelona - $5 Billion
Here comes another Spanish club owned by various club members. Its Net value as of the year 2023 is $5 billion and it currently plays in the Spanish La Liga.
At the start of the 2023/24 season, the team will be sponsored by Spotify. Barcelona and Spotify signed a multi-year sponsorship worth $449 million.
3. Manchester United - $4.6 Billion
Manchester United secured third place on the list of richest football clubs in 2023 with a total revenue of €666 million this year. Despite finishing third, the Red Devils' revenue has dropped by nearly €10 million since last year.
Through sponsorship and merchandising, they earned €316.1 million in commercial revenue. Manchester United received a sizable sum of money from their shirt sponsor Chevrolet and technical kit sponsor Adidas.
Manchester United has a rich history and a massive global fan base. They generate significant revenue from commercial deals, sponsorships, and broadcasting rights.
4. Liverpool - $4.45 Billion
John Henry and Tom Werner are the controlling shareholders of Liverpool, a team based in England. It plays in the English Premier League and is worth $4.45 billion as of 2023.
Liverpool became one of the most popular EPL teams in 2022 as a result of Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah's outstanding performance. With a total revenue of €513.7 million, the Reds are currently ranked fourth among the world's richest football clubs.
Liverpool's success on the field, including winning the UEFA Champions League and the English Premier League in the recent years, has boosted their financial standing. They also have a strong global fan base and commercial partnerships.
Unlike many of the other clubs on the list, Liverpool saw a commendable increase of nearly €90 million from the previous season. They received €251.3 million as a result of their revised broadcasting rights agreement.
5. Bayern Munich - $4.275 Billion
Bayern Munich is worth $4.275 billion as of 2023. It is owned by various club members and is based in Germany. It plays in the German Bundesliga.
Its annual revenue is $726 million, and its operating income is $102 million. So far, it has played in 32 domestic league championships.
Bayern Munich is one of the most successful clubs in German football and has a strong financial position. Their success on the field, combined with commercial partnerships, contributes to their financial strength.
6. Manchester City- $4.25 Billion
Manchester City is among the biggest teams in the English Premier League. This team is based in England, and Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan is its controlling shareholder.
Manchester City's rise in recent years has been accompanied by significant investment and commercial growth. They have secured lucrative sponsorship deals and have become a major player in the football business.
Their huge success in the recent years, winning the Premier and achieving the Champions League this year, has confirmed their spot among the richest football clubs in the world.
7. Paris Saint Germain- $3.2 Billion
Club de Ligue 1 de France Paris Saint-Germain, or PSG, is currently ranked seventh on our list of the richest football clubs in 2023. They saw a significant increase in revenue from the previous season's €486.2 Million to this season's €541.7 Million.
PSG's financial strength has increased significantly in recent years, largely due to substantial investment from their Qatari owners. This has allowed them to attract top players and compete at the highest level.
Paris Saint-Germain is based in France and is owned by Qatar Sports Investments. It plays the French Ligue 1 and has finished either first or second in every season since 2011/12.
In the 21/22 season, Paris Saint-Germain won its 10th Ligue 1 title in club history. Today, it has a net value of $3.2 billion and annual revenue of $661 million.
8. Chelsea FC - $3.1 billion
Chelsea has a net value of $3.1 billion after a -3% two-year value change. It has a revenue of $586 million and an operating capital of $45 million.
9. Juventus - $2.45 billion
Juventus is owned by the Agnelli Family in Italy. It plays in Italian Serie A and is the wealthiest in Italy.
The team has a net value of $2.45 billion, annual revenue of $515 million, and an operating income of $26 million. It finished in the fourth position in back-to-back seasons but is expected to perform better in the future.
10. Tottenham Hotspur - $483.5 Million
Tottenham Hotspur's financial position has improved in recent years, thanks to their success on the field and the completion of their new stadium. They have also secured lucrative commercial deals.
How do Football Clubs Make Money?
Football clubs generate revenue through various streams, here are some of the ways via which football teams make their money.
1. Matchday Revenue: This includes income from ticket sales, hospitality packages, and stadium tours. Matchday revenue is a significant source of income for clubs with large stadiums and passionate fan bases.
2. Broadcasting Rights: Clubs earn substantial income from selling the rights to broadcast their matches on television, streaming platforms, and radio. Broadcasting deals can vary depending on the league, club's popularity, and the competition they participate in.
Final Thoughts on The World Richest Football Clubs
It's worth noting that this list is not exhaustive, and the rankings may vary depending on the source and the specific criteria used for evaluation. Additionally, the financial landscape of football clubs can change over time due to various factors, including economic conditions and changes in ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the richest club owner in the world 2023?
The richest club owner as of the year 2023 is Public Investments fund which actually owns the Premier League club Newcastle.
Which team is the richest team in Europe?
The richest team in Europe right now is no other than Real Madrid.
Who is the richest soccer player?
Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo has become the highest paid athlete in the world, with a move to Al-Nassr nearly doubling his salary, according to Forbes.