Manchester City FC becomes the world’s most valuable football brand, ending Real Madrid’s four-year streak at the top

Manchester City FC (brand value up 15% to £1.29 billion) has achieved an historic milestone by surpassing Real Madrid CF (brand value down 3% to £1.26 billion) as the world’s most valuable football club brand. The club’s brand value has been increasing since the COVID-19 pandemic and has now reached an all-time high. Manchester City FC also boasts the highest revenue in this year’s table, a key driver in its ascent to the top.

Every year, leading brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance puts 5,000 of the biggest brands to the test, and publishes over 100 reports, ranking brands across all sectors and countries. The world’s top 50 most valuable and strongest football club brands are included in the annual Brand Finance Football 50 2023 ranking.

Manchester City FC’s enormous revenue is largely attributable to its continued on-pitch success, this season securing the Premier League and FA Cup trophies and beating Real Madrid 4-0 on the way to set up a second Champions League Final in three years. The club’s successes in major tournaments have generated enormous broadcasting revenues, including a massive prize pot from its Champions League progression – the continued European success boosting international exposure and prestige, and commanding greater sponsorship and commercial appeal. Back on the club’s home turf, a planned £300 million upgrade of the Etihad Stadium is the next step in bolstering the club’s commercial success.

The stage is now set for the highly anticipated Champions League final on June 10th, in which Manchester City FC will face FC Internazionale Milano (brand value up 5% to £439 million). A historic Champions League win for Manchester City FC would tick off the final objective in an extraordinary journey initiated by Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Mansour, who took over the club in 2008.

Hugo Hensley, Head of Sports Services at Brand Finance, commented:

“Manchester City FC has achieved an extraordinary feat by surpassing Real Madrid to become the champion of football club brands. For five years, the City team has exerted its dominance in English football, securing four Premier League titles in the past five seasons. However, the club’s performance in this year’s ranking highlights that Manchester City FC are performing off the pitch in terms of building a strong brand and attracting fans and sponsors, and setting the stage for what could be an iconic Champions League final against Inter Milan in June.”