CNBC 2026 Global Soccer Valuations
CNBC reported Friday that the world’s 30 most valuable soccer clubs carry an average valuation of $2.66 billion, according to its annual global soccer team valuations 2026 report. The figure places soccer behind the NFL, NBA, and MLB in average club value but ahead of the NHL.
Real Madrid Retains the Top Spot
Real Madrid claims first place for a second straight year, now valued at $7.5 billion — a 12% year-on-year increase. The Spanish giant generated $1.26 billion in revenue during the 2024-25 season, the highest ever recorded for a soccer club. That figure trails the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys by only $10 million. Madrid’s commercial revenue alone reached $642 million, also a sport record, encompassing sponsorships, merchandise, and non-soccer operations.
Barcelona and Manchester United Follow Closely
FC Barcelona climbed one spot to second place with a valuation of $6.4 billion, up 13% from last year. The Catalan club posted $1.05 billion in revenue and $564 million in commercial income, both second-best in the rankings. Manchester United dropped to third despite a 5% gain that pushed its value to $6.3 billion. The Red Devils led all English clubs in matchday revenue at $206 million and posted the highest EBITDA of any club on the list at $234 million.
Champions League Stakes Raise the Pressure
Paris Saint-Germain, ranked seventh at $5.3 billion, saw its valuation rise 16% after winning last season’s Champions League, which earned the club 144.4 million euros. Arsenal, eighth on the list at $4.8 billion, meets PSG in the tournament’s final in Budapest on May 30. Both clubs have already locked in substantial prize payments, with the winner set to collect an additional 6.5 million euros on top of existing tournament earnings.
Inter Miami’s Record Surge and MLS Growth
Inter Miami recorded the steepest percentage gain of any club in the rankings. Its valuation jumped 60% to $1.6 billion, driven by a record $215 million in MLS revenue last season. The club relocated to the new, privately funded Nu Stadium at Miami Freedom Park in April. That move could lift annual revenue toward $250 million, according to a source familiar with the team’s finances cited by CNBC. New York City FC, which did not feature in last year’s rankings, also made the 2026 list for the first time.
Soccer’s average club value still trails the NFL’s $7.65 billion per-team average and the NBA’s $5.52 billion, underscoring how far the sport’s commercial machine — though growing fast — has to travel before it catches North America’s dominant leagues.
