The world’s richest football clubs in 2024 generate astronomical amounts of money that total hundreds of millions of pounds in revenue each year.
A select number of teams are powerhouses of the game, global brands built on history, sporting success and investment. Combining their lucrative revenue streams such as sponsorship and merchandise with healthy cuts of television deals and matchday ticket sales has resulted in those sides earning almost incomprehensible sums each season.
But Which Are the 9 Top Richest Football Clubs in the World 2024?
9. Chelsea (£462m Per Year)
BlueCo ownership led by American Todd Boehly bought Chelsea from Roman Abramovich in May 2022 for £4.25 billion. Since then the London club has recorded a healthy annual revenue of £462 million. Chelsea have had varying performances lately, including winning the 2021 Champions League and finishing third, twelfth, and sixth in the Premier League.
Spending topped £400m last summer with the likes of Moises Caicedo, Christopher Nkunku and Cole Palmer arriving at Stamford Bridge. Next season the Blues will likely compete in the UEFA Conference League and will be looking to finish in the top four after the appointment of Enzo Marcesa.
8. Tottenham Hotspur (£495m)
Tottenham Hotspur’s yearly revenue stands at £495 million, with long-standing owner Daniel Levy remaining as frugal as ever with a stable net spend and steady sources of income. The club have seen modest returns in the last few campaigns, finishing fourth, eighth and fifth in the Premier League.
A colossal £1 billion expense saw Spurs develop a brand new stadium. A total of £230m was spent last summer on players such as Brennan Johnson, James Maddison and Micky van de Ven. The upcoming campaign finds Spurs making profits in the Europa League as Ange Postecoglou mounts an assault on the top four once again.
7. Liverpool (£535m)
Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group have invested heavily in the club over recent seasons, making an annual revenue of £535m whilst balancing the books and keeping the Reds competitive. Since their Premier League title win in 2020, Liverpool have found regular silverware with an FA Cup win and two League Cup successes.
There is also consistent income from being ever-present in the Champions League, and Europa League as well as challenging for further league titles. They have pumped nearly £150m into revamping a tired midfield, signing the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis McAllister and Ryan Gravenberch. Next season the Reds will need to focus on a title change under new manager Arne Slot.
6. Bayern Munich (£583m)
Bayern Munich remains highly profitable and exceptionally well-run thanks to a ‘members-owned’ model and reports yearly revenue of £583 million. The club were crowned Bundesliga Champions in 2022-23 and are regulars in the latter stages of the Champions League.
Their biggest recent spends include Harry Kane and Min Jae Kim yet Bayern have made a profit on outgoings such as Lucas Hernandez, Benjamin Pavard and Sadio Mane. For the upcoming campaign, the German side will be eager to bounce back from a humiliating third-place finish in the Bundesliga and will once again target European Cup success.
5. Manchester United (£585m)
Despite a lack of success on the pitch and the Glazer family draining the club of cash to pay their debts, the Manchester United brand, the money-making monster, still earned an annual revenue of £585 million. The Red Devils remain one of the richest clubs in the world even though they have failed to win a Premier League title since 2013 and failed to achieve European glory in seven years.
Heavy spending on the likes of Casemiro, Antony and Rasmus Hojlund has made less of a financial impact than some might have imagined. Next season Manchester United will profit from Europa League involvement as they aim for a top-four finish in the English top flight under new co-ownership with INEOS.
4. Barcelona (£627m)
Barcelona have suffered well-publicised financial troubles amidst rumours of a billion-pound debt. Yet they struck a series of lucrative sponsorships including a €70 million a year shirt deal with Spotify that included stadium naming rights too. Their performances have been mixed in recent times, becoming La Liga Champions and Spanish Cup winners in 2022-23 but are without Champions League success since 2015!
Barca have spent moderately, with a mix of some extravagant transfers such as Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski. They have also funded a renovation of Camp Nou costing over £1billion. During the coming season, the Catalan side will be hoping to reclaim their La Liga crown from Real Madrid and pose a serious threat in the Champions League.
3. Paris Saint-Germain (£629m)
Qatar Sports Investments have spent nearly £2 billion on player acquisitions since they arrived at PSG in 2011. Yet their brand has taken a severe hit this summer with the departure of superstar forward Kylian Mbappe. The French side have still posted a yearly revenue of £629 million.
PSG won their third consecutive Ligue 1 title this campaign and have become a mainstay in the Champions League final stages, ultimately without success. In recent transfer windows, they have invested significantly in Randal Kolo Muani, Goncalo Ramos and Ousmane Dembele. Next season, the aim will be to dominate French football and pursue another shot at Champions League victory.
2. Manchester City (£648m)
Sheikh Mansour and Abu Dhabi United Group have spent over £1.5 billion since their takeover of Manchester City back in 2008. Annual revenue from the last campaign exceeded £648 million, with success both on and off the field. The team also saw the development of their Women's team and an expansion of the City group into Europe with La Liga side Girona.
City, who recently won four consecutive Premier League titles, continue to claim English cups regularly and were crowned Champions League winners in 2023. Their transfer spending is expectedly immense and salaries extremely high too. Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne command nearly £1 million per week in wages alone. The coming campaign sees City driving to win every competition they enter and see revenue skyrocket once again!
1. Real Madrid (£653m)
Under the continued presidency of Florentino Perez, Real Madrid are current La Liga Champions and have experienced miraculous success in Europe over the last decade. Their truly global brand is seen by many as the world's greatest footballing organisation and helped them amass an annual revenue of £653 million.
Los Blancos have consistently made big-name signings but in moderation, most recently acquiring the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham. Next season, much like many of their elite rivals, Real Madrid will be aiming to win it all. And who would bet against this juggernaut of the sport to win yet another European Cup in 2025?
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