For the first time since 2017-18, Real Madrid holds the top position in Deloitte’s currency ratings with a record profit of 831 million euros ($905 million), an increase of 118 million euros from last year.
Although they failed to win La Liga last season (completing champions Barcelona ten times) and lost in the Champions League semi-finals to Manchester City, Real’s expansion is largely due to strong retail functionality, increased stadium attendance and a recovery in sponsorship revenue following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.
Manchester City, who won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup last season, fall to second place in the 2024 rankings.
The club recorded its revenue in a single season, €826 million, and increased its broadcast and advertising revenue by €50 million and €26 million respectively.
Paris Saint-Germain, the French champions, are among the three most sensible for the first time, with a turnover of 802 million euros.
Barcelona is in fourth place, with revenues of 800 million euros moving it away from seventh place, with record revenues from licenses and sales for clubs and fans returning to stadiums.
Commercial profits were the biggest source of revenue for Money League clubs for the first time since the 2015-16 season, the Covid-19 impacted 2019-20 season.
Some of the 20 most sensible clubs saw year-on-year increases in advertising revenue, driven largely by rising retail sales, revenue from non-match events and a recovery in sponsorship profits that had been hit by the pandemic.
Tim Bridge, lead partner in financial experts Deloitte’s Sports Business Group, said: “Another record-breaking year for Money League clubs represents the ongoing financial might of the football industry.
“Strong demand for sports bodes well for further growth in advertising and sports revenue, in particular.
“At a time when clubs no longer seem to be able to count on exponential expansion of broadcast revenues, creating a more commerce-focused style of business will help them improve their monetary stability. “
Liverpool experienced the biggest drop of any club in the top 20, falling from third to seventh place, after Deloitte found its profits fell from €694. 7 million to €694. 2 million.
Deloitte attributed the drop to the Reds’ functionality on the pitch, as the club finished fifth in the Premier League last season and were eliminated in the Champions League round of 16.
Manchester United fell one place to fifth despite a healthier rotation than last season.
Tottenham and Chelsea switched places compared to last year, with Spurs up one place to eighth, partly thanks to revenue earned from their stadium which hosts several NFL games a season. Arsenal held on to 10th position.
Men’s team rankings
Note: In parentheses last year’s position, turnover in millions of euros and the digit is last year’s turnover.
1 (2) Real Madrid €831. 4 (€713. 7)
2 (1) Manchester City 825. 9 (731)
3 (5) Paris Saint-Germain 801. 8 (654. 2)
4 (7) Barcelona 800. 1 (638. 2)
5 (4)Manchester United 745. 8 (688. 6)
6 (6) Bayern Munich 744. 0 (653. 6)
7 (3) Liverpool 682. 9 (701. 8)
8 (9) Tottenham Hotspur 631. 5 (522. 9)
9 (8)Chelsea 589. 4 (568. 3)
10 (10)Arsenal 532. 6 (433. 5)
11 (11) Juventus 432.4 (400.7)
12 (13) Borussia Dortmund 420. 0 (357)
13 (16) AC Milan 385. 3 (257. 4)
14 (14) Inter Milan 378. 9 (308. 4)
15 (12) Atletico Madrid 364. 1 (393. 9)
16 (n/a) Eintracht Frankfurt 293.5 (208.3)
17 (20) Newcastle United 287. 8 (212. 2) 250. 3 (179. 7)
18 (15) West Ham United 275. 1 (301. 3) 239. 2 (255. 1)
19 (n/a) Naples 267. 7 (156. 5) 232. 8 (132. 5)
20 (n/a) Marseille 258.4 (237.5) 224.7 (201.2)
Women’s club classification
1 Barcelona 13. 4 (11. 6)
2Manchester United 8. 0 (7. 0)
3 Real Madrid 7.4 (6.5)
4Manchester City 5. 3 (4. 6)
5Arsenal 5. 3 (4. 6)