Forbes has officially released its annual report of the world’s 30 most valuable soccer clubs in 2026, with 11 Premier League and seven Major League Soccer teams making the list. Real Madrid are now valued at $9.5 billion, maintaining their position for the fifth consecutive year and the 10th time in the last 13 editions of the rankings.
Barcelona climbed to second on the list with a valuation of $7.5 billion, while Manchester United dropped to third at $7.2 billion after a difficult season in which they finished 15th in the Premier League and lost the Europa League final. Liverpool retained fourth place with a valuation of $6.2 billion after winning the Premier League title, while Paris Saint-Germain rose to fifth at $5.8 billion following their UEFA Champions League triumph.
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The Full Forbes Top 10: May 2026
| Rank | Club | Country | Valuation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid | 🇪🇸 Spain | $9.5 billion |
| 2 | Barcelona | 🇪🇸 Spain | $7.5 billion |
| 3 | Manchester United | 🏴 England | $7.2 billion |
| 4 | Liverpool | 🏴 England | $6.2 billion |
| 5 | Paris Saint-Germain | 🇫🇷 France | $5.8 billion |
| 6 | Bayern Munich | 🇩🇪 Germany | $5.7 billion |
| 7 | Manchester City | 🏴 England | $5.5 billion |
| 8 | Arsenal | 🏴 England | $5.4 billion |
| 9 | Chelsea | 🏴 England | $4.2 billion |
| 10 | Tottenham Hotspur | 🏴 England | $3.0 billion |
How Forbes Calculates These Valuations
Multiple factors are considered in the ranking, including revenue generated for the 2024–25 season (or 2025 campaign in MLS), operating income, stadium economics and debts, each value rounded to the nearest $1 million.
Revenue consists of three main buckets: broadcast, commercial and matchday. Broadcast is largely comprised of both domestic and international media deals. Commercial revenue is derived from sponsorships, advertising, corporate hospitality, catering and non-matchday events. A team’s jersey sponsor and kit deal generate massive sums for the top clubs.
The Biggest Story: Premier League’s Extraordinary Financial Dominance
Forbes has officially released its annual report of the world’s 30 most valuable soccer clubs in 2026, with 11 Premier League and seven Major League Soccer teams making the list.
Over a third of the clubs within the top 30 are English. Even the Premier League’s middle class are capable of financially overpowering the majority of teams across the planet.
The Premier League has 6 of the top 10 richest clubs, proving its unmatched broadcasting strength and global appeal.
According to the Deloitte Football Money League 2026, the world’s 20 richest clubs collectively earned €12.4 billion in the 2024/25 season, an 11% increase compared to the previous year. This marks the highest revenue total in the history of the Money League, reflecting football’s ongoing global economic growth.
The report highlights that commercial revenue remains the largest source of income for the top clubs, reaching approximately €5.3 billion in 2024/25. This is the highest proportion ever recorded in the Money League, once again surpassing broadcast and matchday earnings.
League-By-League Breakdown Of The Top 10
| League | Clubs In Top 10 | Combined Value (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Premier League (England) | 6 | ~$31.5 billion |
| La Liga (Spain) | 2 | ~$17.0 billion |
| Ligue 1 (France) | 1 | ~$5.8 billion |
| Bundesliga (Germany) | 1 | ~$5.7 billion |
| Total | 10 | ~$60.0 billion |
1. Real Madrid — $9.5 Billion: Record Revenue Drives Fifth Successive Summit
Spain’s top two once again headline the rankings, with Real Madrid enjoying their fifth successive year at the summit. Their $9.5 billion valuation is marked by an incredible $1.27 billion made in revenue across 2024–25, which is a record total for any sports team measured by Forbes (without adjusting for inflation).
The Spanish giants, despite enduring a disappointing campaign on the pitch, generated a record-breaking $1.27 billion in revenue during the 2024-25 season — the highest ever recorded by a football club and higher than the Dallas Cowboys’ NFL revenue figure measured by Forbes.
Forbes attributed Real Madrid’s continued financial dominance to rising commercial revenue, stadium redevelopment projects and increasing global investor interest in elite football clubs.
Real Madrid continues its reign at the top with unmatched financial power, breaking the billion-dollar revenue barrier once again. The renovated Santiago Bernabéu, strong commercial deals, global fanbase, and consistent sporting success keep their valuation and revenue at record levels.
Emirates pays Real Madrid more than $80 million a year to display its name on the team’s home and away jerseys.
2. Barcelona — $7.5 Billion: La Liga Title Drives Surge
Right behind them in second place are their rivals FC Barcelona, who have seen their valuation soar upwards to $7.5bn after winning the 2025/26 La Liga title.
Barcelona’s valuation remains among the world’s highest as the club stabilizes financially. Merchandising, global popularity, sponsorships, and the upcoming full reopening of Camp Nou have boosted revenues again.
Barcelona generated a high of $590 million in commercial revenue through partners including Spotify, Barca Mobile, Nike and Philips.
3. Manchester United — $7.2 Billion: Global Brand Power Carries The Club
England’s most successful clubs are both valued at over $6 billion, putting them ahead of reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain and German behemoths Bayern Munich. The Red Devils are valued at $1 billion more than Liverpool and will benefit from Champions League revenue next season.
Manchester United remains one of the strongest global brands. Despite inconsistent performances on the pitch, their sponsorship network, worldwide fanbase, and merchandising continue to generate huge revenue.
Manchester United’s Adidas pact is worth at least $100 million a year and includes the rights to sell merchandise globally stamped with the three-stripes logo.
4. Liverpool — $6.2 Billion: Premier League Title Fuels FSG’s Masterplan
Liverpool’s £400 million splash last summer represents barely 10% of their overall valuation, which is further proof of the staggering transformation overseen by Fenway Sports Group.
The organisation fronted by John W. Henry have occasionally come under scrutiny from fans annoyed in the past by a lack of extravagant spending. Yet, the data-driven owners — who adopted a similar model with baseball’s Boston Red Sox — can scarcely have imagined quite how lucrative their tenure at Liverpool would prove to be. FSG spent just £230.4 million to take over the club in October 2010.
Liverpool is the highest-ranked English club in the Deloitte Money League, coming in 5th with €836.1 million in revenue, narrowly ahead of Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Chelsea.
5. Paris Saint-Germain — $5.8 Billion: Champions League Glory Transforms The Brand
In a notable leap, French club Paris Saint-Germain climbed to fifth globally with an estimated value of €4.9 billion ($5.8 billion), making it the sole representative of French clubs within the top thirty of this global ranking.
PSG continues to dominate French football financially. Commercial deals, high-profile stars, and global marketing keep their revenue extremely high.
6. Bayern Munich — $5.7 Billion: Bundesliga’s Unrivalled Commercial Force
Bayern Munich remains the most valuable German club, maintaining financial discipline while staying successful every season.
Borussia Dortmund continue their tradition of being second in Germany, their value paling in comparison to that of Der Klassiker rivals Bayern Munich.
7. Manchester City — $5.5 Billion: Guardiola Legacy Embedded In The Balance Sheet
The Gunners could well surpass Manchester City, as they did in the 2025–26 Premier League, in next year’s list. The Cityzens are only $100 million ahead of Arsenal, although they find themselves playing catch-up to Liverpool and Manchester United.
8. Arsenal — $5.4 Billion: Premier League Title Powers Sharpest Rise
Arsenal has seen a sharp rise in valuation thanks to Premier League performances, young talent, and strong commercial support.
Arsenal have been unmistakably on the rise in recent years. Three successive runners-up finishes in the Premier League may have created a bridesmaid complex among the fanbase (and perhaps the squad) but this form has undoubtedly transformed the club’s financial image. Deep runs in the Champions League over this period have seen the club’s revenue steadily climb each season.
9. Chelsea — $4.2 Billion: Boehly-Clearlake Infrastructure Sustains Value
Atlético Madrid only narrowly miss out on their place in the top 10 at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, but there is quite the jump from Spurs to their city rivals Chelsea. The Blues are $1.2 billion more valuable, although that’s the exact sum they find themselves behind recently crowned Premier League champions Arsenal.
Chelsea continues to remain in the top 10 as major commercial partners and global fanbase keep their market value steady.
10. Tottenham Hotspur — $3.0 Billion: The Stadium Is The Asset
Tottenham’s modern stadium is one of the most profitable in world football, driving huge matchday and events revenue.
In a related note, Atlético Madrid secured eleventh place with a value of €2.5 billion ($2.9 billion), marking a 74% increase in its value following its acquisition by Apollo Sports Capital last March.
Beyond The Top 10: Notable Performers Across The Full 30
Aston Villa have overseen an incredible 56% growth over the past year as Unai Emery continues to work wonders. Champions League qualification played a massive part in their financial progression, making them England’s most valuable club outside of the traditional ‘Big Six’. They lead Newcastle United, who are perched in 19th.
Despite a higher revenue than their arch rivals, 2024–25 Champions League finalists Inter still trail AC Milan, who are valued at $500 million more than their neighbors.
Both clubs are still overshadowed by Juventus, however, whose value sits at an impressive $2.4 billion despite on-pitch struggles.
Inter Miami are the most valuable non-Europeans. Californian giants LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC sneak into the top 20, the latter’s value of $1.32 billion only slightly less than Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami CF — the most valuable MLS franchise on the market. All three have seen their value increase from the previous rankings.
Stuttgart in 28th continue to flourish as their on-field resurgence converts to hugely improved revenue streams. They are now officially Germany’s third-most valuable club.
MLS sides Austin FC and Seattle Sounders just creep into the list after value increases from 2024, but, unlike Atlanta United and New York City FC, they fail to reach the $1 billion valuation mark.
Revenue Streams That Drive Modern Valuations
Revenue growth came from all major streams — commercial, broadcast, and matchday — with clubs increasingly diversifying their operations and expanding their brands internationally.
Matchday and broadcast revenues also set new records. Matchday income reached €2.4 billion, driven by more frequent games, higher ticket prices, and premium stadium services. Broadcast revenue hit €4.7 billion, reflecting expanded competitions such as the Club World Cup and revamped Champions League formats, which increased both the commercial value and global reach of TV rights.
Matchday revenue from ticket sales, membership income, cup competitions and preseason tickets is generally the smallest revenue component for European teams.
The Growing American Influence
Forbes noted that American investors continue to expand their influence across European football, with several Premier League and Serie A clubs now controlled by U.S.-based owners or investment firms.
Major League Soccer also recorded strong representation with seven clubs in the ranking, including Inter Miami, LAFC and LA Galaxy, underlining the increasing commercial growth of football in the United States.
FAQs
Which club is the most valuable football club in the world in 2026?
Real Madrid are now valued at $9.5 billion, maintaining their position for the fifth consecutive year and the 10th time in the last 13 editions of the rankings.
How many Premier League clubs are in the top 10?
The Premier League has 6 of the top 10 richest clubs, proving its unmatched broadcasting strength and global appeal.
What makes Real Madrid’s valuation so remarkable?
The Spanish giants generated a record-breaking $1.27 billion in revenue during the 2024-25 season — the highest ever recorded by a football club and higher than the Dallas Cowboys’ NFL revenue figure measured by Forbes.
Which club had the biggest growth in the 2026 list?
Aston Villa have overseen an incredible 56% growth over the past year as Unai Emery continues to work wonders. Champions League qualification played a massive part in their financial progression, making them England’s most valuable club outside of the traditional ‘Big Six’.
How many MLS clubs are in the Forbes top 30?
Forbes has officially released its annual report of the world’s 30 most valuable soccer clubs in 2026, with 11 Premier League and seven Major League Soccer teams making the list.
