Top 5 richest football clubs in the world | 2023 updated

Which 5 football clubs are the richest in the world? 

Have you ever wondered which football team is the richest in the world? Ugrado listed out the 2023 football club ranking based on the revenue, earnings and much more for you. 

According to Deloitte Football Money League 2023, there was a rose of 13% in the 2021/22 total revenue 2021/22 for the top 20 football clubs, contributed €9.2 billion compared to €8.2 billion in 2020/21. 

The football industry has become one of the most popular and lucrative industries in the world.  One of the reasons is that huge costs are needed to maintain the success of a football club, hence, the budgeting is very crucial to a football club. Some of the costing includes players’ wages, coaching wages, managers, equipment, stadium and more.  In this article, Ugrado will look into how football clubs make revenue streams and the top 5 richest football clubs in the world 2023.  

Top 5 Richest Football Club In the World  | How do football clubs earn money? 

Football club revenue streams can be divided into few categories: 

Broadcasting rights

Football clubs earn money from the exclusive broadcasting rights for the matches, highlights, and related content. Some of the examples include domestic / international broadcasting rights, digital platforms like club websites, mobile apps , social media and Champions League or competition such as UEFA/ Europa League and more.

Sponsorship and advertising 

One of the main revenue streams is the football club sponsorship deal, where the team enters into a contract with associated brands and companies.  For example, sponsors’ logos on the team jerseys, stadium signage, perimeter boards, commercial  and marketing campaigns. 

Matchday & Ticketing

Matchday revenue includes income generated from ticket sales, hospitality packages, and merchandise sales during the football home matches. This revenue stream is particularly important for clubs with large and passionate fan bases that consistently fill stadiums. 

Merchandise 

Football clubs capitalise on their brand popularity by selling official merchandise, including jerseys, scarves, hats, and other merchandise featuring the club's logo and colours. The sales of licensed merchandise contribute significantly to a club's revenue.

Prize Money and Performance Bonuses

Football clubs earn prize money and performance bonuses for their on-field achievements, such as winning domestic league titles, cup competitions, or participating in continental competitions. These financial rewards incentivize success and contribute to a club's revenue.

Player Transfers

Player transfers are the most common revenue streams in the football industry. The player transfer fees can vary based on the player’s profile and popularity, and football clubs can earn these transfer fees from the buying and selling deals.  For example,  In 2017, Neymar transfer to PSG in 2017 made him one of the high-profile and expensive transfer in history, with €222 million.

 Top 5 Richest Football Club In the World 

1. Real Madrid (Spain)- $6.07 billion 

Stadium: Santiago Bernabéum, Madrid
Nickname: Los Blancos (The Whites)
Captain: Karim Benzema
Head coach: Carlo Ancelotti

Unsurprisingly, Real Madrid remains the most valuable and richest football club in the world, with a net worth of $6.07 billion as of May 2023. The club made it to five of the last nine lucrative Champions League finals, and not to mention their all-white kit for all the fans around the world.  Other than that, Real Madrid star players, world-class managers, and stadiums also separated the Real Madrid brand from any of its football rivals.

2.Manchester United (England) - $5.6 billion

Stadium: Old Trafford, Manchester
Nickname: The Red Devils
Captain: Harry Maguire
Head coach: Erik ten Hag

Manchester United follows closely behind at $ 5.6 billion as of 2023, surpassing Barcelona, funded by Glazer Family. The club have the highest wage bill in the Premier League and have invested billions of dollars to try and recapture former glory. They also had ticket sales and other activity at Old Trafford matchday activities.

3. Barcelona (Spain) -  $5.51 billion. 

Stadium: Camp Nou, Barcelona
Nickname: La Blaugrana (The red and blue)
Captain: Sergio Busquets
Head coach: Xavi Hernandez

The Spanish club net value of  $5.51 billion, thanks to their brand power and global appeal.
The team has signed a multi-year sponsorship worth $449 million with Spotify for the 2023/24 season.

4. Liverpool(England) - $5.29 billion 

Stadium: Anfield, Liverpool
Nickname: The Reds
Captain: Jordan Henderson
Head coach: Jürgen Klopp

The Liverpool team is worth $5.29billion as of 2023, with a new deal with Nike worth over $39.5 million annually in the 2020/21 season, alongside with the broadcast and commercial revenue . On top of that, winning the Premier League and Champions League under Jürgen Klopp has translated into a valuation over $4 billion.

5. Manchester City (England) – $4.99 billion

Stadium: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Nickname: The Citizens
Captain: İlkay Gündoğan
Head coach: Pep Guardiola

Manchester City is worth $4.99 billion as of 2023, majority owned by Sheikh Mansour, the deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, and a member of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family.Their growth has been driven by an increase in commercial revenue in 2021-22.
However, the club has one of the highest wage bills in world football, with stars like Jack Grealish, Kevin de Bruyne, and Erling Harland each taking home multi-million pay packets each year. They’ve won 6 Premier League trophies and counting since Sheik Mansour’s arrival in 2008.

Summary of the richest football clubs in the world in 2023

Conclusion

Ugrado article has listed out the financial insights of top 5 richest football clubs in the world of 2023. The revenue streams and sources can vary based on the popularity, club’s size, performance as well as the team players profiles. Follow the Ugrado guide to stay updated with current sports and iGaming trends.  Learn how to get nominated or featured on the Ugrado Ranking Board.