Real Madrid has firmly established its dominance at the top of Deloitte's annual Football Money League, generating a staggering €1.05 billion in revenue. The Spanish club led the rankings, followed by Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, with revenues of €872 million and €839 million respectively. The order of the clubs at the top remained unchanged, underscoring Real Madrid's financial prowess in the football world.
Commercial revenue emerged as the most significant contributor to the impressive earnings of the 20 Money League clubs, accounting for 44% of total revenue. This trend highlights the increasing commercialization of football clubs, with many exploring opportunities beyond traditional matchdays. Tim Bridge, the lead partner in the Deloitte Sports Business Group, emphasized this shift in perspective.
"Club stadia are increasingly being valued as more than just matchday assets, with a number of clubs converting their grounds into multiuse entertainment venues that attract new visitors, sponsors, and retail opportunities."
- Tim Bridge, lead partner in the Deloitte Sports Business Group.
Real Madrid's financial achievements were further bolstered by the refurbishment of their iconic Bernabeu stadium. The renovation doubled the club's matchday revenue to €258 million. In pursuit of this ambitious project, Real Madrid secured loans totaling over €1 billion to enhance the stadium's capacity to approximately 80,000 seats. This strategic move underscores the club's commitment to maximizing its revenue streams beyond the pitch.
The rankings also highlighted the prominence of English clubs, with six of them featuring in the top 10 and nine in total among the 20 Money League clubs. This dominance underscores the Premier League's significant global following and commercial appeal. The gap between Real Madrid and second-placed Manchester City was a remarkable €216 million, marking the largest differential ever recorded by Deloitte.
In the realm of women's football, Barcelona continued to lead for the third consecutive year with €18.6 million in revenue. Arsenal Women ranked second with €17.9 million, while Chelsea Women secured third place with €13.9 million. These figures reflect the growing commercial interest in women's football, driven by successful performances on and off the field.
Broadcast revenue remained stable at €4.4 billion, highlighting its vital role in sustaining football clubs' financial health. Despite its stability, clubs are increasingly looking towards diversifying their income sources to capitalize on new opportunities.
"Football clubs are now realising the value of becoming far more than sporting brands, with media and entertainment becoming intertwined with the commercial potential that they have to offer."
- Tim Bridge, lead partner in the Deloitte Sports Business Group.
