REVEALED: The world’s most valuable football club ‘brands’, with Man City now TOP after overtaking Real Madrid, Chelsea tumble to SIXTH highest English club and Man United overtake Liverpool
- Treble-chasing Man City saw their brand value rise 15 per cent to £1.29 billion
- With that they overtook reigning European champions Real Madrid
- Man United overtook rivals Liverpool to take fourth place, with Barcelona third
Treble hunt for Manchester City has overtaken Real Madrid as football’s most valuable brand.
City, who can add the Champions League to their Premier League title and FA Cup win if they beat Inter Milan this Saturday, have seen their brand value rise 15 per cent this year to £1.29bn.
In doing so, they overtook reigning European champions Real Madrid, whose brand value fell by three percent to £1.26 billion, according to a analysis by Brand Finance.
City’s success on the pitch, especially this season as they chase a historic treble trophy, plus the continued expansion of the Etihad Stadium, has increased their international exposure and prestige, leading to increased sponsorship and commercial appeal.
They beat Real 4-0 in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final and have now also beaten them in brand value.
Manchester City is now the most valuable brand in the world, a new analysis shows
City beat Real Madrid in the Champions League and have now surpassed them in brand value
The Brand Finance analysis showed that City had witnessed a 15 per cent rise, while Real fell
However, Brand Finance said that Real remained the strongest brand in world football and was probably regarded by fans as ‘the best club in the world’.
Barcelona came third in the table, with a five percent increase in brand value to £1.185 billion, with Manchester United rivals Liverpool jumping to fourth.
However, the two north-west rivals could hardly be separated, with United worth £1.174 billion (up 11 per cent) and Liverpool £1.173 billion (up nine per cent).
United’s successful season under Erik ten Hag had “reconnected the team with the fans and laid the foundations for a renewed attempt at future success,” the report said.
Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich occupied sixth and seventh place before three Premier League clubs – Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea – closed out the top 10.
Arsenal’s brand value was up 16 per cent to £782 million after their strong challenge for the Premier League title.
Chelsea’s were up two per cent to £742 million after a disappointing season and a lower half, leaving them only the sixth highest English club. Spurs’ value rose by five per cent to £774 million.
Brand Finance said London clubs Brentford and Fulham were new to their top 50, ranked 43rd and 49th respectively.
Manchester United’s positive season saw them overtake rivals Liverpool for brand value
Barcelona, who won the Spanish league title this season, occupies third place on the list
Chelsea’s disappointing season saw them only sixth in Premier League club standings
Newcastle United is said to have the fastest growing brand value of any club in the UK, rising 33 per cent to £216 million following their Saudi takeover in 2021.
Hugo Hensley, Head of Sports Services at Brand Finance, said: ‘Manchester City have delivered an extraordinary achievement in surpassing Real Madrid to become champions of the football club brands.
“For five years, the City team has wielded its dominance of English football, securing four Premier League titles in the past five seasons.
“However, the club’s performance in this year’s league table shows that Manchester City can deliver off the pitch when it comes to building a strong brand and attracting fans and sponsors, and preparing for what will be an iconic Champions League campaign. final against Inter Milan.”