Real Madrid Retains World’s Most Valuable Football Brand Title for Second Consecutive Year with €1.9 Billion

The kings of European football have officially cemented their commercial supremacy once again. Real Madrid has retained its position as the world’s most valuable football brand for the second consecutive year, according to Brand Finance’s prestigious Football 50 2025 report, with their brand value rising 14% to a staggering €1.921 billion.

Achieving an exceptional brand strength score of 94.9 out of 100 and the maximum AAA+ rating, Los Blancos continue to set the gold standard in global football branding while maintaining the highest enterprise value at €6 billion, confirming that their dominance extends far beyond the football pitch into unparalleled commercial excellence.

Record-Breaking Growth Continues Madrid’s Commercial Dominance

The Spanish giants have achieved what few organizations manage across any industry – sustained growth at the pinnacle of success. El valor de la marca de nuestro club ha crecido un 14% y fija un nuevo récord de 1.921 millones de euros, establishing a new benchmark for football club valuations worldwide.

This remarkable 14% growth represents more than just numerical success; it demonstrates Real Madrid’s ability to consistently expand their global influence and commercial reach. The club’s brand value has grown from strength to strength, building upon their 2024 return to the summit when they reclaimed the title from Manchester City.

The Strongest Brand for Four Consecutive Years

Perhaps even more impressive than their valuation leadership is Real Madrid’s sustained excellence in brand strength. Brand Finance también determina la fuerza de las marcas a través de las métricas que evalúan la inversión en marketing, el patrimonio de marca de las partes interesadas y el rendimiento comercial. En este apartado, el Real Madrid mantiene su liderazgo por cuarto año consecutivo al obtener una puntuación de 94,9 sobre 100 y la máxima calificación AAA+.

This AAA+ rating places Real Madrid among the world’s strongest brands across all industries, not just sports. With a brand strength index (BSI) score of 94.9/100 and an AAA+ rating, Real Madrid is not only the world’s strongest football club brand but also ranks among the strongest brands globally, surpassing renowned names like Google, Coca-Cola, Ferrari, and Rolex.

Manchester City’s Fall from Grace

One of the most significant storylines in this year’s ranking is Manchester City’s dramatic decline. Manchester City FC has dropped to third most valuable in the 2025, with its brand value falling 11% to EUR 1.4 billion. This represents a significant shift from their position as the world’s most valuable football brand in 2023 and second place in 2024.

The decline coincides with a below-par 2024/25 season by the club’s high standards, demonstrating how on-field performance directly correlates with brand valuation. Despite their recent treble success and consistent Premier League dominance, City’s brand has experienced its first significant decline in recent years.

Barcelona’s Resilient Recovery

Despite ongoing financial challenges, FC Barcelona has maintained its position as the world’s second most valuable football brand. Barcelona’s increased by 11% to EUR1.7 billion, showcasing remarkable resilience in the face of well-documented economic difficulties.

The Catalan giants have demonstrated that strong brand fundamentals can sustain commercial success even during periods of financial constraint. Their ability to maintain such a high valuation while dealing with salary cap restrictions and debt restructuring speaks to the enduring power of the Barcelona brand globally.

Premier League’s Collective Strength

While Spanish clubs dominate the top positions, the English Premier League continues to demonstrate its collective commercial power. The Premier League is the world’s most valuable football league with the combined values of its top ten brands reaching over €8 billion, representing 37% of the total value of the world’s top 50 most valuable clubs.

Six Premier League clubs maintain positions in the global top 10, with Liverpool (€1.4 billion), Manchester United (€1.2 billion), Arsenal (€1.2 billion), Chelsea (€961 million), and Tottenham Hotspur (€798 million) all commanding substantial brand values.

PSG’s Rise and German Stability

Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) is now among the global top five, following a brand value increase of 13% to EUR1.4 billion, tying with Manchester City for third place. This growth demonstrates the effectiveness of PSG’s global marketing strategy and their ability to maintain commercial momentum despite high-profile player departures.

In Germany, FC Bayern Munich (brand value up 1% to EUR1.3 billion) is Germany’s most valuable football club brand and ranks 6th globally, maintaining their position as the Bundesliga’s flagship brand and demonstrating the stability of German football’s commercial model.

Global Brand Distribution and Concentration

The report reveals a stark concentration of brand value among elite clubs. Real Madrid and Barcelona account for 70% of the total brand value of all LALIGA clubs, underlining a significant concentration of brand power within Spanish football.

This concentration pattern extends beyond Spain, with Brand Finance research revealing a growing imbalance across the game. As Hugo Hensley, Head of Sports Services at Brand Finance, noted: “The combined value of the world’s top 50 football club brands has climbed to EUR21.9 billion in 2025. However, Brand Finance research reveals a growing imbalance across the game, as outside of the Premier League, brand value is increasingly concentrated among a handful of elite clubs in Europe’s top leagues.”

The Seven Elite: AAA+ Brand Rating Clubs

Seven football club brands achieve elite AAA+ brand rating, representing the absolute pinnacle of brand strength in football. These exceptional clubs include:

• Real Madrid CF (94.9/100)
• FC Barcelona (94.2/100)
• Manchester United FC (93.2/100)
• Arsenal FC (92.8/100)
• Liverpool FC (92.8/100)
• FC Bayern Munich (92.3/100)
• Chelsea FC (90.1/100)

What distinguishes these clubs is their exceptional global perception combined with strong domestic foundations. While many clubs can rival these scores in their home markets, it’s the strong global perceptions that elevate these brands to the elite AAA+ level.

Brand Finance Football 50 2025 Top 10 Rankings

Historical Context and Achievement Significance

Strategic Implications for the Football Industry

Real Madrid’s sustained success offers valuable insights for the broader football industry. Brand Finance’s research indicates that club commercial income directly correlates with brand strength, particularly at the elite level. The club’s strategic investments in global superstars, world-class facilities, and comprehensive digital engagement strategies serve as a blueprint for sustainable commercial growth.

The concentration of brand value among a few elite clubs also highlights the increasing importance of strategic brand management. As Brand Finance notes: “Brand is no longer a byproduct of performance but is now a defining driver of success. As the sport becomes increasingly competitive both on the pitch and commercially, clubs and leagues must manage their brands strategically to ensure they aren’t edged out of realising the benefits of a strong and valuable brand.”

Fan Engagement and Global Reach

Real Madrid’s exceptional brand strength derives from multiple factors, including their perfect scores across several metrics in Brand Finance’s research. The club demonstrates excellence in squad investment, stadium experience, and strategic sponsorships. Their recent signings of global superstars like Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham have further enhanced their global visibility and commercial appeal.

The club’s global fanbase represents one of their greatest assets, with research showing Real Madrid leads international markets as the favorite team among fans worldwide. This global appeal translates directly into commercial opportunities, from merchandise sales to sponsorship premiums.

Commercial Revenue Drivers

Los ingresos récord obtenidos durante dos temporadas consecutivas y el continuo aumento del valor de la marca ponen de relieve la fortaleza de la marca Real Madrid, y demuestran el papel fundamental que desempeña una marca sólida y valiosa para sostener el crecimiento a largo plazo. These record revenues stem from multiple sources:

• Enhanced sponsorship deals, including their landmark agreement with Adidas
• Increased matchday revenues from premium experiences at the Santiago Bernabéu
• Global merchandise sales boosted by star player acquisitions
• Strategic digital content partnerships and social media engagement

Future Outlook and Challenges

While Real Madrid’s current position appears unassailable, the dynamic nature of football branding means continued vigilance is essential. The club’s ability to maintain growth while competitors like PSG invest heavily in global expansion will be crucial for sustaining their leadership position.

The ongoing evolution of football’s commercial landscape, including streaming rights, NFTs, and digital fan engagement platforms, presents both opportunities and challenges for maintaining brand supremacy. Real Madrid’s historical ability to adapt and innovate suggests they are well-positioned for continued success.

Real Madrid’s retention of their position as the world’s most valuable football brand for a second consecutive year represents more than just commercial success – it reflects a comprehensive excellence that spans sporting achievement, strategic vision, and global engagement. With a brand value exceeding €1.9 billion and the industry’s highest strength rating, Los Blancos have established themselves as the definitive benchmark for football brand management.

As the football industry continues to evolve and global competition intensifies, Real Madrid’s sustained dominance demonstrates the power of consistent excellence across all aspects of club operations. Their achievement serves as both inspiration and challenge to competitors worldwide, setting the standard for what it means to be truly the world’s most valuable football brand.

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