Real top Forbes most football rich list

Real Madrid have been named the most valuable football club in the world, according to BBC-reported figures based on Forbes’ annual rankings, with Barcelona moving above Manchester United into second place.

Real Madrid are valued at $9.5 billion (£7.06 billion), up significantly from $6.75 billion (£5.02 billion) a year earlier, BBC reports citing Forbes.

Barcelona sit second at $7.5 billion (£5.57 billion), while Manchester United drop to third at $7.2 billion (£5.35 billion).

United generated $865 million (£643 million) in revenue during the 2024-25 season, a campaign in which they finished 15th in the Premier League and lost the Europa League final.

The Premier League continues to dominate the global financial landscape, with six clubs in the top 10 and 11 in the top 30.

Liverpool remained fourth at $6.2 billion (£4.61 billion), despite winning the English title in 2024-25.

Paris Saint-Germain climbed to fifth at $5.8 billion (£4.31 billion), overtaking Bayern Munich, who sit sixth at $5.7 billion (£4.24 billion). Manchester City slip from fifth to seventh with a valuation of $5.5 billion (£4.09 billion).

Arsenal are eighth at $5.4 billion (£4.01 billion), followed by Chelsea in ninth at $4.2 billion (£3.12 billion) and Tottenham Hotspur completing the top 10 at $3 billion (£2.23 billion).

Arsenal’s position could rise further next year after winning the Premier League for the first time in 22 years and preparing for a Champions League final against PSG.

Despite Spanish dominance at the top, Atletico Madrid are the only other La Liga club in the top 30, ranked 11th.

The Premier League remains the most represented league with 11 clubs, followed by Major League Soccer with seven, Serie A with four, the Bundesliga with three, and Ligue 1 and Portugal’s Primeira Liga with one each.

On average, the top 30 clubs are now worth $2.9 billion (£2.15 billion), a 21 percent increase on last year’s record $2.4 billion (£1.78 billion), BBC reported.