An update on the richest football clubs in the world presently. Football is one of the most-watched sports in the world at the moment and footballers earn huge wages. The truth is top football clubs are rich and they make enormous amounts of money yearly.

Today, trophies do not always make a club rich. Economic factors now go a long way in determining what clubs have the financial power; mid-table teams in rich countries now make more money than big teams in small leagues.

The long-term implications of this trend on the game remain to be seen, but club football is becoming more competitive; teams from smaller countries are making huge investments; trying to become relevant.

Top 20 Richest Football Clubs in the World 2023

Rank No. Club Name Country Revenue
1. Manchester City England €644.9 Million
2. Real Madrid Spain €640.7 Million
3. Bayern Munich Germany €611.4 Million
4. Barcelona Spain €582.1 Million
5. Manchester United England €558 Million
6. Paris Saint Germain France €556.2 Million
7. Liverpool England €550.4 Million
8. Chelsea England €493.1 Million
9. Juventus Italy €433.5 Million
10. Tottenham Hotspur England €406.2 Million
11. Arsenal England €366.5 Million
12. Borussia Dortmund Germany €337.6 Million
13. Athletic Madrid Spain €332.8 Million
14. Inter Milan Italy €330.9 Million
15. Leicester England €255.5 Million
16. West Ham United England €221.5 Million
17. Wolverhampton Wanderers England €219.2 Million
18. Everton England €218.1 Million
19. Zenit St. Petersburg Russia €212 Million
20. Aston Villa England €207.3 Million

With the huge revenues made by the richest football clubs on this list, you might be wondering how they make all this money. They make their cash from ticket sales, sponsorship, and shirt sales. These football clubs sign multimillion dollars deal with top companies in the world for a shirt sponsor. They also make a lot of money during pre-season tours.

Top 20 Richest Football Clubs in the World

1.  Manchester City

Last Year Revenue: €644.9 Million

Manchester City has posted revenues amounting to €644.9m; making it the most profitable football club in the world. This is no surprise because the club has been one of the most dominant in the richest football league in the world for the past ten years.

Manchester City has won four premier league trophies in the last five years and has consistently performed well in the UEFA Champions League; proving that it has the team to beat anybody on its good day.

Manchester City plays a very exciting brand of football; they frequently demolish other teams by margins of up to five goals. Performances like that attract fans to the stadiums and millions more to the TV Screens.

The club is therefore one of the most visible brands in football at the moment; which is why sponsorship is not at all in short supply. Furthermore, Manchester City attracts some of the best young soccer talents in the world; they know they will win trophies and make money.

Manchester City was originally founded as St. Mark’s in 1880. The name was later changed to Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and in 1894, the name was once again changed to Manchester City which it currently bears. Manchester City plays in the Premier League and is currently based at Etihad Campus, East Manchester. Man city has seen a lot of growth in recent years

2. Real Madrid

Last Year’s Revenue: €640.7 Million

Real Madrid is the most recognizable football club in the world, with the biggest trophy room in Europe, and the biggest exposure. Real Madrid is seen as the pinnacle; everybody wants to play at this illustrious club.

The club, Real Madrid was founded in 1902 and has been around for more than a century. The club was originally named Madrid Football club, which was later changed to Real Madrid by King Alfonso XIII in 1920.

Real Madrid is one of the three founding members of the LA Liga league and has always remained as one of the top 3 clubs in the league. Real Madrid has been performing very well in all its leagues and has won awards, with more than 30 LA Liga titles. Real Madrid is regarded as the richest football club in the world by Forbes. 

The club is so legendary; it has fans all over the world, who expect and who demand consistent success from the club and its players.

Real Madrid is so big that even though it always calls out to the best players, they are expected to work for the club, and not the other way round. This club has once been described as a money-making machine.

The club’s games are very well attended, and merchandise is very well purchased. A player who performs well in Real Madrid sells himself to the world and makes a ton of money in endorsement deals.

3.  Bayern Munich

Revenue: €611.4 Million

Bayern Munich is the biggest club in Germany, and one of the biggest clubs in Europe. This is an old and established club; the absolute most dominant football club in the history of Germany. The club recently won its tenth Bundesliga title in as many years.

That is a record; no club in Europe’s top five leagues has ever managed to win ten consecutive league titles. Bayern Munich makes so much money from winning titles, and also from endorsement deals.

Furthermore, this club has never missed out on the Champions League in so many years; it has made money from TV Rights that come from performing well in that illustrious competition. Bayern is a legacy club; everybody wants to play for Bayern Munich.

4. Barcelona

Revenue: €582.1 Million

Barcelona is a football club with a legacy and a tradition of success. Barcelona is one of the richest football clubs in the world because it makes big money from ticket sales, shirt sales, and endorsement deals.

Barcelona has a tradition of fielding some of the best players the world has ever seen. Johan Cryuff, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, and Ronaldinho all played for this great club.

The club has a unique quick passing style of football; this has made Barcelona probably the most recognized football brand in the world; with the most far-reaching fan base. Barcelona is even popular in countries that are not traditionally football countries.

5. Manchester United

Revenue: €558 Million

Manchester United fondly called Man U or the Red Devil is a professional football club based in Old Trafford, England. Manchester United was founded in 1978.

Manchester United has traditionally been the richest and most successful football club in England, but the tide has recently turned against this great club as other clubs have threatened to push it to the background.

Nevertheless, Manchester United posted €558m in revenue, making it one of the most profitable clubs in Europe.

Despite a few dry years the club has still managed to draw in supporters every time it plays. Club merchandise has also sold steadily, and the club has been trying to attract some great players. Manchester United is in a rebuilding phase at the moment; it may take a couple of years to see this great team at its best again.

6. Paris Saint Germain

Revenue: €556.2 Million

Paris Saint-Germain popularly known as PSG is a popular professional football club founded in 1970 and plays in French Ligue 1. The club is currently based in the city of Paris, France. Paris Saint-Germain through its numerous efforts has established itself in the French league and other European leagues.

Paris Saint Germain is one of the most prominent football clubs; it is leading the charge to make French football relevant. The club has been the most dominant in the French league for about ten years and has consistently performed well in the Champions League.

Paris Saint Germain has made €556.2m in revenue from ticket sales, TV Rights at the Champions League, winning League One, and shirt sales.

Paris Saint Germain is on the rampage; the club is attracting some of the biggest names, and the brightest prospects in football. PSG wants to dominate the European scene; the club has Neymar, Mbappe, and Messi.

7. Liverpool

Revenue: €550.4 Million

Liverpool is an English football club founded in 1892 and currently competes in the premier league. It is currently based in Liverpool, England and through countless efforts, the club has been able to maintain itself financially. It is currently one of the wealthiest football clubs in the world thanks to successful performances on the pitch coupled with increased revenue from commercials and matchday revenues. 

Liverpool Football Club is the biggest English club in terms of exposure and recognition outside the country. Liverpool has more Champions League trophies than anyone else in England; and stands at par with illustrious clubs like Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

Liverpool is so dominant in the Champions League that it makes the final every 5 years or so.

This means huge amounts of money in TV Rights and huge earnings in ticket sales. Such a successful club will always attract sponsors; Liverpool is one of the biggest and most valuable brands in Europe.

8. Chelsea

Revenue: €493.1 Million

Chelsea plays in the premier league and is currently based at Stamford Bridge in London, England.

Chelsea Football Club of England is one of those that have risen to prominence within the last few years. Since it was purchased by Russian Billionaire Roman Abramovich, the club has risen from the background to become one of the most successful clubs of the century. Chelsea has won every trophy winnable in the past 18 years (2004-2022).

Chelsea has become a fans favorite; not only is it one of the clubs with the most attended games; it is also one of the most popular clubs in the whole world, and one of the biggest by shirt sales. Chelsea is one of the clubs that is always associated with the best talent; it is one of the most marketable clubs in the world.

9. Juventus

Revenue: €433.5 Million

Juventus is a professional Italian football club founded in 1897 by a group of students who are passionate about the sport. The club is currently based in Turin, Piedmont, and plays in the Italian Series A.

Juventus is one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in the world. At one time it was considered one of the top 3 football clubs in Europe; it had stars like Alessandro Del Piero, Pavel Nedved, and Zinedine Zidane.

Juventus is clearly still one of the most dominant clubs in Italy; it recently had a run of 6 consecutive league titles and even went ahead to bring in one of the greatest players the world has ever seen.

Juventus is constantly making money from Champions League TV Rights; shirt sales, and ticket sales. This is one of the most prominent clubs in Europe, it always plays in the Champions League, and that makes it a very marketable club indeed.

10. Tottenham

Revenue: €406.2 Million

Tottenham Hotspurs football club often fondly called Tottenham or just Spurs by fans was founded in 1882 and plays in the premier league. Tottenham is currently based in Tottenham, Haringey, London. Tottenham won its first title, the FA Cup, in 1901 making it the only non-league club to have ever won the FA cup ever since the formation of the football league. 

Tottenham Hotspurs Football Club of England is one of the most consistent performers in the English Premier League. The club now has one of the biggest stadiums in England; by constantly challenging for the Premier League trophy, the club has become one of the most important in the country; and therefore one of the biggest earners.

Tottenham constantly ships off star players to play in bigger clubs; which has constantly been one of their biggest sources of income. The club has constantly played in the Champions League; also bringing in money to the club, while shirt and ticket sales also serve as avenues of revenue.

11. Arsenal

Revenue:  €366.5 Million

Arsenal FC is a professional football club founded in 1886 and is regarded as the first club from the South of England to join the Football League. Arsenal football club is based in Islington, London, and is currently one of the most popular clubs in the world. The club’s more than century years of existence have seen the winning of numerous league titles.

Arsenal Football Club has always been one of the biggest football clubs in England; some of its records have not been broken, even 20 years after they were made.

The Gunners are one of the most recognized in England; the club has a unique, quick passing style of football that makes it stand out in England. This football club is clearly on the rise; it is expected to post even better revenues in the coming years.

12. Dortmund

Revenue:  €337.6 Million

Borussia Dortmund is a professional German football club based in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, and was founded in 1909. The club plays in the Bundesliga league which is the highest football league in Germany. The club has won numerous titles and is often regarded as one of the most successful football clubs in German football history.

Dortmund club has the most stadium attendances in Germany, and since the average attendance in Germany surpasses that of any other country; it means that Borussia Dortmund is one of the teams with the most stadium attendances in the whole of Europe.

The club, therefore, makes a lot of its money from ticket sales. Other sources of funds include TV Rights at the Champions League, as well as player sales.

13. Atletico Madrid

Revenue: €332.8 Million

Atletico Madrid is a Spanish football club that plays in the Spanish La Liga league. It was founded in 1903 and is currently based in Madrid, Spain. Atletico Madrid is often regarded as the third most successful football club in the Spanish league. It has won more titles than any Spanish team apart from Barcelona and Real Madrid. 

Atletico Madrid is one of the richest football clubs in the world; this club has recently become the third force in Spanish football; after Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The club has consistently challenged for the Spanish title over the past ten years and has won it on a couple of occasions. Atletico Madrid has also constantly featured in the Champions League; further bringing in money.

14. Inter Milan

Revenue: €330.9 Million

Inter Milan is a professional Italian football club founded in 1908 and debuted in the 1909 season. It is currently based in Milan, Lombardy, and plays in the Italian Serie A league.

One of the legacy clubs of Italy; Inter has been one of the biggest and most popular clubs in Europe, on a similar scale as Juventus.

However, these are not the best times for Italian football; Italian clubs have just not been able to compete with English and Spanish clubs for talent. Nevertheless, with Inter Milan reporting €330.9 million in revenue, there could be hope on the way.

15. Leicester City FC

Revenue: €255.5 Million

Leicester is an English professional football club founded in 1884 and is currently based in Leicester in the East Midlands, England. The club competes in the English premier league and has won different major trophies.

Leicester City Football Club of England has established itself as an important club in England. The club pulled off one of the biggest surprises in sporting history by winning the English Premier League in the 2015-2016 season. To prove that this was no mistake, the club went on to win the FA cup in 2021, the won the final by defeating Chelsea.

Leicester now has fans all over the world, and now their shirts are also selling. Leicester City also sold Harry Maguire to Manchester United for 80 Million Pounds, in a deal that shows how good the team is in business.

16.  West Ham

Revenue: €221.5 Million

West Ham, is a professional football club founded in 1895 and is based in East London, England. It competes in the Premier League. The club has seen a lot of success and earned a revenue totaling $232 million last year as made known.

West Ham Football Club is no longer a mid-table team as it used to be; this has now turned into one of the most consistent teams in the Premier League; steadily finishing among the top 10, and producing stellar performances against the biggest teams in the country.

West Ham also has some of the best young talents; the club has started to place exciting football which brings in supporters and sponsors.

17.  Wolves

Revenue: €219.2 Million

Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club of England is one of the most exciting teams in the English league. The club approaches every game with the same intensity; demolishing its opponents with the same ferocity, regardless of whether they are big clubs or small clubs.

Furthermore, the club is frequently in European places, meaning that it makes more money from ticket sales, sponsorship deals, and player sales.

18.  Everton

Revenue: €218.1 Million

Everton Football Club is one of the most consistent football clubs; having spent one of the longest spells in English football’s top tier. Despite being a mid-table club, Everton has some of the most loyal supporters, who pack the Goodison Stadium, thus providing a steady source of revenue for the club.

19.  Zenit

Revenue: €212 Million

Zenit St Petersburg is one of the biggest clubs in Russia. The club is also one of the most consistent and has once again won the Russian Premier League. Many of the players in Zenit are in the Russian National team. This club earns a lot of money from ticket sales, sponsorships, and by regularly winning trophies.

20. Aston Villa

Revenue: €207.3 Million

Aston Villa only recently returned from the lower tiers of the English football system. However, the club has a strong culture and a very good following in England. Club games are always well attended, and the team is well-liked.

The club makes a lot of money from ticket sales and sponsorship. The team is quite competitive; it approaches all games in the same attacking mindset. Aston Villa is known to produce shocking results against bigger teams, making its supporters hopeful of a good result every time the team plays.

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Finally

The richest football clubs in the world mostly come from the league with the most money in it. The league with the most money in it usually depends on the country with the best economy. The countries with the best economies are very well represented on this list because ticket sales can only be significant when the people have enough money to live on, and some to spare on football matches.