In modern football, on-pitch success is only part of the equation. A club’s commercial value, sponsorship strength, and global influence now play an equally important role in determining its position among the world’s elite.
According to the latest Deloitte Football Money League, the 20 highest-earning football clubs generated combined revenue of approximately €12.4 billion during the 2024-25 season, an 11% year-on-year increase and another record.
Commercial Revenue Becomes a Major Growth Driver
Commercial revenue remained a key driver of this growth, rising from €4.9 billion to around €5.3 billion. Beyond traditional sponsorship deals, leading clubs have increasingly focused on maximizing the use of their stadiums and surrounding areas through retail, dining, events, and non-matchday activities.
Meanwhile, the expanded FIFA Club World Cup also helped increase global exposure and broadcasting value, contributing to an estimated 10% rise in broadcast revenue.
Real Madrid Stay on Top as Barcelona and Bayern Follow
Unsurprisingly, Real Madrid once again ranked as the highest-earning football club in the world.
After becoming the first football club in history to surpass €1 billion in annual revenue during the 2023-24 season, Real Madrid extended their lead in 2024-25, with revenue approaching €1.2 billion.
Their El Clásico rivals Barcelona finished second with approximately €975 million, while Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich ranked third with around €861 million.
PSG Rise to Fourth After Historic Season
UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain also recorded significant growth. Supported by their Champions League triumph, domestic cup success, and run to the Club World Cup final, Paris Saint-Germain increased their revenue to approximately €837 million, placing fourth overall.
Nine Premier League Clubs Make the Top 20
The Premier League once again demonstrated its overall financial strength, with nine English clubs appearing in the Top 20, more than any other domestic league.
However, the highest-ranked Premier League club was not Manchester United or Manchester City, but Liverpool. The Reds generated around €836 million, placing fifth globally, followed by Manchester City and Arsenal, both of whom also recorded revenues above €800 million.
Manchester United Fall to Historic Low of Eighth
One of the biggest talking points in this year’s ranking was Manchester United.
Although the Red Devils still recorded revenue growth during the 2024-25 season, reaching approximately €793 million, they fell to eighth place globally and ranked only fourth among Premier League clubs.
For a club that has previously topped the Deloitte Football Money League on 10 occasions, eighth place represents one of Manchester United’s lowest positions in the ranking’s history.
The decline also highlights how competition among Europe’s biggest clubs now extends far beyond on-pitch results. Commercial development, global brand strength, stadium utilization, sponsorship revenue, and international expansion have all become crucial factors in determining the financial power of modern football clubs.
