Top 10 Most Valuable Soccer Teams in the World

There are thousands of teams across the globe all vying to be the most successful and one of the most valuable soccer clubs in the world.

The value of leading clubs continues to rise, with Real Madrid’s net worth showing a 9% growth over the past year to become the richest soccer club in the world in 2024.

However, the enduring financial muscle of the English Premier League is demonstrated by the presence of six EPL outfits in the top 10. The value of each club is calculated based on a range of factors including market value, sponsorship, and revenue – including TV money.

1. Real Madrid

Even if they weren’t at the top of this list, there would be little argument against the contention that Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world of soccer.

Los Blancos have been crowned champions of Europe on 15 occasions, capturing the continent’s most prestigious trophy over twice as many times as any other club.

Under president Florentino Perez, Real is enjoying an unmatched era of Champions League dominance.

Real Madrid has immense pulling power, and commands the affections of a genuinely global fanbase. You would never bet against Real Madrid continuing to pile up domestic and continental silverware.

Real Madrid’s net worth of $6.6 billion represents a 9% growth over the previous year, and their incredible history ensures they will always be able to attract the biggest sponsors and the best players in the world to maintain their status.

2. Manchester United

It’s now more than 10 years since United were champions of England, but the superpower continues to win other domestic trophies. The club’s enormous profile was gained through their exploits over many decades.

A strong focus on signing lucrative sponsorship deals with a host of sponsors around the world, ensures that the value of the club remains extremely high.

English billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s purchase of a substantial share in the club, which gave him control of football operations, has raised the hopes of United’s massive fanbase.

It’s yet to be seen if on-pitch performances might improve to match the club’s undoubted commercial heft.

3. Barcelona

“More than a club” is how Barcelona is described by its legions of devotees, and indeed the soccer outfit itself. Barca is a global force, but also a symbol of the fierce pride the people of Catalonia take in their cultural identity.

The team inherited by Pep Guardiola, had some of the best soccer players ever. Lionel Messi, Xavi, and Andres Iniesta all dominated the European scene in the early 2010s.

It also kept Real Madrid at bay in the ever-intense race for the La Liga title in Spain.

Barcelona spent lavishly in an attempt to maintain that supremacy, and at one stage was carrying debt of more than $1.3 billion.

But the status and enduring reputation of the club ensures its value, according to Forbes, one of the world’s most valuable soccer teams.

4. Liverpool

Liverpool was the dominant force in English soccer during the 1970s and 1980s, and has never been too far from the summit of the game in the decades since.

Under charismatic former manager Jurgen Klopp, they ended a 30-year wait for an English title in 2020, having won a sixth Champions League the year before.

Liverpool have been under the ownership of the Fenway Sports Group since 2010, which has transformed the commercial fortunes of the club.

The Reds now have a formidable list of global sponsors to bolster coffers already swelled by the enormous TV revenue that gives such a huge boost to Premier League clubs.

5. Manchester City

City’s fortunes were transformed by the club’s takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2010. The club is now part of the City Football Group, which manages the ADUG’s global investment in a network of soccer clubs across the world.

Perhaps the club’s shrewdest investment was the courting and eventual recruitment of coach Pep Guardiola in 2016.

He has overseen a period of extraordinary dominance of the domestic scene, with six Premier League titles in seven years – including the last four in a row.

City added to their trophy cabinet and their worldwide commercial appeal, with a first Champions League success in 2023, and are now firmly among the most valuable soccer teams on the planet.

It also helps that they boast some of the highest paid soccer players in the entire sport.

6. Bayern Munich

The only German club in the top 10, and the sole Bundesliga team that can genuinely claim to be a permanent member of the European soccer elite.

An 11th consecutive Bundesliga title in 2023, and a sixth European Cup triumph in 2020, helped further solidify Bayern’s status as one of the most valuable soccer teams on the planet.

The club is commercially well run, having shown a profit for 27 consecutive seasons – a rarity in a sport where many clubs go into debt to finance transfers.

Bayern has also consciously built its brand in overseas markets such as the United States and China in recent years, which has added to the worth of the club.

7. Paris Saint-Germain

Les Parisiens entered the top 10 of the world’s most valuable soccer teams in 2021, but have never approached the very head of the table.

That reflects their on-pitch fortunes over the years since the club was acquired by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) in 2011.

PSG have been utterly dominant in Ligue 1 and at the best online sportsbooks they are always the favorite to win the title. In fact they’ve only have missed out on the title twice since 2012.

But their aim, to win the Champions League has eluded them, despite an investment of more than $2 billion on players under QSI.

They have reached the final only once, in 2020, where they lost to Bayern Munich. Nevertheless, their domestic supremacy and a raft of lucrative international sponsorship deals ensure their status high on this list.

8. Tottenham Hotspur

No club epitomizes the power of shrewd commercial dealings in raising a team’s profile better than Tottenham.

Because this lofty position among the most valuable soccer teams has certainly not been gained by on-pitch success.

Famously, Spurs have not won a major trophy since 2008 – and their enduring failure to make the most of promising opportunities has seen the word “Spursy” enter the English language to describe such crushing letdowns.

However, the club’s commercial prowess under the ownership of ENIC International is undeniable. They now play in one of the finest stadiums in the world and are a financial powerhouse off the pitch, with a high profile around the world.

9. Chelsea

Chelsea’s move towards the soccer elite was accelerated by the club’s acquisition in 2003 by Roman Abramovich.

Under the Russian oligarch’s ownership, the Blues won five Premier League titles and twice lifted the Champions League trophy, most recently in 2021.

The club has struggled in the wake of Abramovich being forced to sell the following year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Now owned by the BlueCo consortium headed by Clearlake Capital, it remains to be seen if it can recapture past glories.

But Chelsea’s long and proud history, allied with the exploits of the Abramovich years, ensures it has a worldwide profile that contributes to its presence among the most valuable soccer teams in the world.

10. Arsenal

Arsenal is the club in this top 10 that has shown the biggest year-on-year growth in value, of 15%.

You would not gamble against that trend continuing over the next 12 months, with Mikel Arteta’s team going close in the 2023/24 Premier League and are now always well placed at the best soccer betting sites to challenge silverware.

Arsenal has been the biggest London club for much of the last century, despite not winning a league title since 2004. The absence of the Champions League from the honors board is also keenly felt, but that could change soon.

American sports tycoon Stan Kroenke remains the majority shareholder on a board that is starting to leverage the club’s impressive profile commercially.