Real Madrid break €1 billion barrier to lead football's money league

 

Real Madrid Become First Football Club to Surpass €1 Billion in Revenue

Real Madrid have made history as the first football club to generate over €1 billion in annual revenue, according to Deloitte's Money League analysis.

The Spanish giants retained their top spot in the rankings with revenue of €1.05 billion (£883 million) from the 2023-24 season, during which they claimed both the La Liga and Champions League titles.

Manchester City remain in second place, posting £708 million in revenue after winning a record fourth consecutive Premier League title, alongside the Club World Cup and European Super Cup.

The top five is rounded out by Paris Saint-Germain (£681m), Manchester United (£651m), and Bayern Munich (£646m).

Premier League Dominance

Nine Premier League clubs feature in the top 20, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, Newcastle, and West Ham maintaining their positions. Aston Villa make a return after competing in Europe for the first time since 2011.

Brighton, in their debut Europa League campaign, rank 21st, while Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, and Wolves occupy spots between 26th and 29th.

Revenues for the top 20 clubs increased by 6% to a record £9.47 billion, driven by a significant rise in matchday revenue, which grew by 11% to £1.77 billion due to expanded stadium capacities, higher ticket prices, and premium hospitality offerings.

Real Madrid's Boost from Bernabeu Renovation

Real Madrid saw the most significant increase in matchday revenue, doubling their earnings to £210 million thanks to the renovation of the Bernabeu Stadium. In contrast, Barcelona, playing in a smaller stadium during the Nou Camp redevelopment, saw their matchday revenue drop by £53 million, causing them to fall from fourth to sixth in the rankings.

Commercial Revenue Leads the Way

Commercial revenue remains the largest source of income for clubs, rising 10% to £4.14 billion, accounting for 44% of total revenue. Non-football events, such as concerts, played a key role in this growth.

"Money League clubs continue to break records with ongoing growth in commercial and matchday revenues," said Tim Bridge, lead partner in Deloitte's sports business group.

Broadcast revenue remained steady at £3.64 billion, as the major European leagues are still within their current domestic broadcast cycles.

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Women's Football Sees Record Growth

The women’s game continues its rapid rise, with Deloitte's analysis of the top 15 revenue-generating women’s clubs showing total revenue surpassing €100 million for the first time, increasing by 35% to £98 million.

Barcelona led the women’s rankings for the third consecutive year, generating £15.1 million in revenue. Arsenal climbed from fifth to second, matching Barcelona with £15.1 million, fueled by a 64% increase in matchday revenue after hosting six Women's Super League (WSL) games at Emirates Stadium.

Chelsea (£11.3m), Manchester United (£9m), and Real Madrid (£8.9m) complete the women’s top five, with eight WSL clubs in the top 15.

Matchday revenue growth, bolstered by record attendances, pushed combined WSL and Women’s Championship attendance above one million for the first time.

Jennifer Haskel, Deloitte's sports business group lead, said:
"It’s clear the women’s game is growing rapidly across all metrics. While traditionally compared to the men’s structure, the women's game is forging its own identity, presenting unique opportunities for growth."