This list is the official ranking of the richest football clubs according to Deloitte Money League. They rank and analyze the highest earning clubs in the world. Below are the top ten richest football clubs in ascending order.
10. JUVENTUS (341.1 million Euros)
Juventus is the tenth richest football club in the world. They have been the king of Italian football for the past six years, winning six consecutive Scudetto. They have also had a good run in Champions League in recent years. Even though they failed to match up to previous seasons match day revenue, they were still able to achieve a five percent growth in their income. This was majorly due to their new lucrative kit deal with Adidas and extending their jersey’s sponsorship agreement with Jeep. With their recent success on the field, winning another Scudetto and a better run in the Champions League this season should see them retain their position in top ten.
9. LIVERPOOL (403.8 million Euros)
Liverpool FC has appeared in the Champions League just once since 2010, but they are still among Europe’s elite rich football clubs. Their run to the final of the Europa League in the 2015-16 season before losing out to Sevilla contributed to the success last year which made them the ninth wealthiest club in the world. With the improved broadcast revenue, expansion of their main stand, and an imminent return to the Champions League, the future seems bright for them in the Deloitte Football Money League..
8. CHELSEA (447.4 million Euros)
Chelsea also retained their position as the eight richest club in the world. Despite their poor performance in the defence of their Premier League title, they were still able to take home 191.1 million euros from broadcast revenue. The broadcast revenue was as a result of their run to the last 16 of the Champions League. But they might lose their position to Liverpool in the next edition of Football Money League due to non-appearance in European competition this season. With their recent achievement of lifting the Premiership title, a return to European competition, they might probably retain their spot. Also, with the proposed expansion of Stamford Bridge, which will lead to an increase in match day revenue, they are expected to be among the top ten and probably do better in coming years.
7. ARSENAL (468.5 million Euros)
Arsenal retained their seventh position after enjoying another good year in terms of match day revenue. Manchester United is the only club in England making more money in match day revenue than Arsenal’s 133.6 million yearly income. Even though they have not won the Premier League in a while, their consistent appearance in Champions League and a broadcast revenue of 192 million euros has been the major contributing factors to their wealth. But if they have any chance of being among the top five richest clubs, they will need to earn more money from commercial and sponsorship deals.
Paris Saint-Germain saw their position drop from fourth to sixth in the rankings of the richest football clubs in the world. Their overall revenue last year rose by eight percent as a result of the increase in their ticket price and the addition of more hospitality seats. Although PSG continues to earn big amounts from commercial deals, estimated to be around 305.3 million, their position among the wealthiest clubs in the world is dropping. With their performances falling on and off the pitch, failing to make the top five richest football clubs for the first time since 2011-2012, they might not be able to do any better in the next edition of Football League Money.
5. MANCHESTER CITY (524.9 million Euros)
This is the first time in their history that the Abu Dhabi-backed club will be the among the top five richest football clubs in the world. This was as a result of the best run ever in Champions League appearance. Manchester City reached the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time and enjoyed an increase in their broadcast revenue to about 215.8 million euros. With their new bountiful Premier League deal, this figure will most likely grow next year. Even if they are unable to climb higher in rankings, these numbers and sales should be able to keep them among the top five richest football clubs in the world.
4. BAYERN MUNICH (592 million Euros)
Bayern Munich recorded another successful year on and off the pitch which saw them rise from being the fifth to the fourth richest club this year. The Bavarians saw their on-field income doubled and also a massive twenty percent increase in their off the pitch income. Their revenue was bolstered by the raise they got in their annual portion of the Bundesliga TV Money and also by renegotiating their existing commercial deals. They are also the fifth highest earners when it comes to match day revenue, racking up a total of 101. 8 million euros last year. Bayern Munich has consistently been in the semi-final of the Champions League for three years, and they are doing better in their annual revenue. But it will be hard for them to climb beyond this point anytime soon because of the might of the clubs above them.
3. REAL MADRID (620 million Euros)
After almost a decade as the richest club in the world, Real Madrid dropped to the third position on the list of the richest clubs in the world. All from the profit made from winning Champions League, large commercial deals and sponsorship deals, and match day revenue yearly income. Real Madrid is if not the best but is one of the best football clubs in the world with one of the highest fan base around the world. They made a total of 129 million euros from match day revenue last year. No other club made up to that. The current champions of Europe will obviously see a huge rise in their income this year after winning the Champions League again for the second time in a row. With a lucrative pre-season tour and an improved deal with Adidas, the manufacturer of their kit which is reported to be around one billion euros, we would not be surprised to see them return to number one in the Football Money League.
2. FC BARCELONA (620.2 million Euros)
Barcelona retained their second position from the previous edition of the Deloitte Football Money League chart. Their revenue was bolstered by profits from the use of Camp Nou for various events. Their stadium was employed by Bruce Springsteen for two concerts, and the stadium also hosted the rugby top 14 final. With the fourth best match day revenue in the world, they also made up to 121 million euros in match day revenue. With some new sponsorship deals and improved commercial deals coming in, they can challenge for the number one spot in 2018.
1. MANCHESTER UNITED (689 million Euros)
For the first time since 2003-2004, Manchester United took the top spot in the Football Money League. Although, their performances on the field have been disappointing in the past few seasons, Manchester United is the current richest football club in the world. The Red Devils have taken a lot of money home from their sponsorship deals and match day revenue. As one of the most marketable clubs in the world, they made a total of 363.8 million euros in sponsorship deals last year. Also, they had the highest earnings from match day revenue, their average game day attendance contributing to a total of 137.5 million euros. It looks like they might retain their spot by the time they return to Champions League Football next season.
Thank you for reading.
Also Manchester United named the most valuable club in the world.
