Football is an incredibly wealthy sport, with some of the world’s most valuable teams now valued at more than $6 billion
Chelsea was recently sold in a record-breaking deal, and many football owners are now considering a full or partial sale.
We looked at the ten most valuable football teams in the world in 2023 using data from Forbes Magazine.
It should come as no surprise that the Premier League leads the list, despite the fact that a La Liga team takes the top slot.
Arsenal ($2.26 billion)
Arsenal, one of six Premier League clubs on this list, has risen from 11th place in the 2022 rankings after raising their worth by 10%.
However, their current valuation is lower than it was in 2021, when the American magazine estimated Arsenal’s worth to be $2.8 billion.
Spotify CEO and Arsenal supporter Daniel Ek attempted to acquire the club in May 2021, but Stan Kroenke rejected his $2.5 billion proposal.
Tottenham Hotspur – $2.8 billion
While Tottenham have only won the League Cup under Daniel Levy’s management, their valuation has skyrocketed in recent years, and they are now valued higher than their north London rivals.
According to Forbes, Spurs have been the most profitable football club over the last three years, with an operating income of $414 million (profits before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization).
“If you separate Premier Leaguein terms of what happens on the pitch and what happens off the pitch – Daniel Levy is probably worth every penny that he earns,” football finance analyst Kieran Maguire told Football Insider.
“He has built a stadium that will be in the top two in terms of matchday revenue in the UK.” Arsenal, who qualified for Europe, will fight them for the top spot next season.
“The ability to sign commercial arrangements is very good, and wage control is absolutely excellent.”
Chelsea ($3.1 billion)
In the summer of 2022, a team led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital paid $3.1 billion to buy Chelsea from Roman Abramovich.
The Athletic reports that senior people at rival Premier League clubs believe Boehly overpaid, although Forbes values the club at the same amount.
Despite a tumultuous 2022/23 season, Chelsea’s valuation has remained constant over the last year, and they have held eighth place on the list.
In the summer of 2022, a team led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital paid $3.1 billion to buy Chelsea from Roman Abramovich.
The Athletic reports that senior people at rival Premier League clubs believe Boehly overpaid, although Forbes values the club at the same amount.
Despite a tumultuous 2022/23 season, Chelsea’s valuation has remained constant over the last year, and they have held eighth place on the list.
“In football, you make decisions, and you can make bad decisions.” We are also truthful, and we are doing our best.
“We brought the club from where it was to where it is today, and I believe we should be proud of that.”
Al-Khelaifi also claimed to have turned down a €4 billion bid for the French champions, but Qatar Sports Investment (QSI) is apparently trying to sell a 15% stake in the club.
Bayern Munich ($4.86 billion)
Unsurprisingly, Bayern Munich is the Bundesliga’s solitary representative in the top 10, with a Forbes valuation of $4.86 billion.
Bayern, which has won 11 straight league titles, is largely regarded as one of the best-run clubs in the world, with after-tax earnings reported throughout the season.
According to Forbes, they currently earn $1.38 billion in broadcast revenue and $2.11 billion in commercial revenue, with match-day revenue totaling $455 million.
5. Manchester City (4.99 billion pounds)
In 2022/23, City made history by becoming only the second English team to win the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League all in the same season.
Pep Guardiola’s team is also performing off the field, with their valuation increasing from $4.25 billion to $4.99 billion in the last year.
According to Forbes, they have a world-leading $175 million operating income and the greatest revenue at $815 million.
Liverpool (4th) – $5.29 billion
Fenway Sports Group paid $360.5 million for Liverpool in 2010, and their initial investment has more than tenfolded over the past 13 years.
The Reds have won the Premier League, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and a FIFA World Club Cup throughout that time.
✍️ Four years since Rodri signed for Man City…
Here's his biggest moment in blue ????@ManCity || #UCL pic.twitter.com/nWxayajtZO
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) July 4, 2023
The Athletic claimed in November 2022 that FSG was willing to sell the club for a price around $4.8 billion.
However, the American consortium received no serious offers and is now attempting to sell a minority ownership in the club.
5.51 billion in Barcelona
Despite their well-publicized financial difficulties, Barcelona’s valuation has increased by 10% in the last year, to $5.51 billion.
However, their revenue is expected to fall in 2023/24 as they relocate to the neighboring Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium while the Nou Camp undergoes extensive renovations.
The stadium has a capacity of only 55,926 people, and Barcelona estimates that the relocation will cost them roughly €90 million per year.
2. Manchester United (6 billion pounds)
After finishing third in this rating in 2022, United has surpassed Barcelona to recover second place.
Their value has surpassed $6 billion for the first time, representing a 30% increase over last year’s estimate.
Barcelona have secured almost €1.5 billion in financing to press ahead with the redevelopment of Spotify Camp Nou.
Barça will be moving to the Olympic Stadium next season and hope to be back at Camp Nou by November 2024 ???? pic.twitter.com/3uV41HvAN7
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 24, 2023
The Glazer family, who have owned the club since 2005, are reportedly trying to sell for a world record amount.
The Red Devils are being pursued by Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group.
While Ratcliffe has offered a 60% ownership in the club, Jassim wants to buy United outright from the Glazers, and his offer is said to be around $6.3 billion.
1. Real Madrid (6.07 billion euros)
For the second year in a row, Real Madrid has topped Forbes’ ranking of the world’s most valuable football clubs.
Los Blancos was assessed at $5.1 billion by an American business journal in 2022, and their valuation has since increased by 19%.
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