Most Valuable Football Clubs of 2024: Football has become a big global business, with clubs being more than just teams. They are now profitable companies that attract huge investments and make a lot of money.
Forbes magazine releases a yearly list of the most valuable football clubs in the world, showing the financial side of the sport.
Most Valuable Football Clubs of 2024
In this article, we talk about the 2024 list, which highlights the clubs that are the top earners and those that have either grown a lot or faced a decline.
1. Real Madrid
- Country: Spain
- Value in $ millions: 6,600
- Revenue ($M): 873
- Operating income ($M): 76
Real Madrid is the top football club in 2024, attracting star players with its Galacticos strategy.
According to realmadird.com, it made 1.073 billion euros in the 2023/24 season, making it the most profitable club in Europe.
The club has won 35 La Liga titles, 13 more than FC Barcelona, and holds the record with 14 European Cup/Champions League trophies, including five in a row from 1956 to 1960.
Football fans often see Real Madrid as the biggest club. Forbes values it at $6.07 billion.
2. Manchester United
- Country: England
- Value in $ millions: 6,550
- Revenue ($M): 785
- Operating income ($M): 187
Manchester United is the second most valuable football club in 2024. Founded in 1878 as Newton Heath, it became Manchester United in 1902 and won its first league title in 1908.
The club saw major success in the 50s and 60s under coach Matt Busby and gained global fame under Sir Alex Ferguson, who won 38 trophies, including the 1999 treble.
Manchester United has 20 league titles, 12 FA Cups, and 3 Champions League trophies. It’s home to legends George Best, Bobby Charlton, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Forbes values the club at $6 billion.
3. Barcelona
- Country: Spain
- Value in $ millions: 5,600
- Revenue ($M): 840
- Operating income ($M): -145
Barcelona is the third most valuable football club in 2024. Though its trophy count isn’t as high as its rival, Real Madrid, Barcelona has been a top European team for many years. The club won its first European cup in 1992 and added four more since.
Barcelona’s 2008/09 and 2010/11 teams, led by Lionel Messi, are often called some of the greatest in history. The club has 26 league titles and several other domestic and European trophies.
While the team may need changes to return to the top, it remains a strong name in European football. Forbes values Barcelona at $5.6 billion.
4. Liverpool
- Country: England
- Value in $ millions: 5,370
- Revenue ($M): 719
- Operating income ($M): 102
Liverpool is the fourth most valuable football club in 2024. The club has a rich history with six Champions League titles and 19 English league titles, making it one of the most successful teams in England and Europe.
After a decline since the 1990s and a 30-year wait for a Premier League title, Liverpool finally won it in 2020. Despite their 2005 Champions League win, recent years have seen less consistent success in Europe.
Though the club is improving, its recent record keeps it from ranking higher. Forbes values Liverpool at $5.3 billion.
5. Manchester City
- Country: England
- Value in $ millions: 5,100
- Revenue ($M): 869
- Operating income ($M): 147
Manchester City is the fifth most valuable football club in 2024. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark’s (West Gorton), it became Manchester City in 1894. The club has won nine league titles, seven FA Cups, eight League Cups, and other trophies.
After a decline in the 1980s, they rose again in the 2000s, becoming a top Premier League team. In 2008, Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group bought the club, bringing significant investment.
Under Pep Guardiola, they achieved great success, winning multiple Premier League titles and breaking records. Forbes values Manchester City at $5.1 billion in 2024, making it a global football powerhouse.
6. Bayern Munich
- Country: Germany
- Value in $ millions: 5,000
- Revenue ($M): 781
- Operating income ($M): 84
Bayern Munich is the sixth most valuable football club in 2024. Based in Munich, it is a powerhouse in European football.
Bayern Munich has won 6 Champions League titles, ranking third in total victories, tied with Liverpool. They dominate the Bundesliga with 32 titles, 18 more than their nearest rival, showing their strength in the league.
The future looks bright for Bayern, keeping them among the best football clubs in the world. Forbes values Bayern Munich at $5.00 billion.
7. Paris Saint-Germain
- Country: France
- Value in $ millions: 4,400
- Revenue ($M): 754
- Operating income ($M): -126
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is the seventh most valuable football club in 2024, playing in Ligue 1, France’s top league. Founded in 1970 from the merger of Paris FC and Stade Saint-Germain, PSG has over 40 trophies, including 11 league titles and one major European trophy.
After struggling in the 2000s, PSG revived in 2011 with strong financial support, leading to dominance in domestic competitions. They reached their first Champions League final in 2020 and are one of only two French clubs to win a major European title.
Owned mainly by Qatar Sports Investments, PSG is the richest club in France, with a revenue of €654 million in 2023. Forbes values the club at $4.4 billion.
8. Tottenham Hotspur
- Country: England
- Value in $ millions: 3,200
- Revenue ($M): 665
- Operating income ($M): 161
Tottenham Hotspur is the eight most valuable football club in 2024 and plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1882, they won the FA Cup in 1901 and the League and FA Cup Double in 1960–61, the first in the 20th century.
They were the first to win the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963 and the UEFA Cup in 1972. Tottenham has won at least one major trophy in every decade from the 1950s to the 2000s. Their honors include two league titles, eight FA Cups, and four League Cups.
In 2024, Tottenham is valued at $3.200 billion and ranks ninth in earnings, with an annual revenue of $665 million.
9. Chelsea
- Country: England
- Value in $ millions: 3,130
- Revenue ($M): 620
- Operating income ($M): 0
Chelsea is the ninth most valuable football club in 2024. Founded in 1905, they play at Stamford Bridge and compete in the Premier League.
Chelsea won its first major trophy, the League championship, in 1955, and has since secured many honors, including the FA Cup, Cup Winners’ Cup, and Club World Cup.
They are one of only five clubs to win all three major European competitions before 1999 and the only club to do it twice.
Chelsea has six league titles, eight FA Cups, and multiple international trophies. With rivalries against Arsenal, Tottenham, and Leeds, Chelsea is the fourth-most successful club in England. Their value is $3.10 billion in 2024, making them the eighth-highest-earning football club in the world.
10. Arsenal
- Country: England
- Value in $ millions: 2,600
- Revenue ($M): 560
- Operating income ($M): 140
Arsenal is the tenth most valuable football club in 2024 and competes in the Premier League. The club has a rich history, winning 13 league titles and a record 14 FA Cups, along with other domestic and international honors, including one European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Founded in 1886 as Dial Square, Arsenal moved to Highbury in 1913, creating a famous rivalry with Tottenham Hotspur. The club enjoyed great success in the 1930s under Herbert Chapman and later under Arsène Wenger from 1989 to 2005.
Wenger’s team had an unbeaten league run of 49 games, earning them the nickname “The Invincibles.”
In 2006, Arsenal moved to the Emirates Stadium. In the 2021–22 season, they had an annual revenue of £367.1 million, and Forbes values the club at $2.26 billion in 2024.
11. Juventus
- Country: Italy
- Value in $ millions: 2,050
- Revenue ($M): 459
- Operating income ($M): 11
Juventus ranked 11th among the most valuable football clubs in 2024. The club is the most supported team in Italy, with a record 36 Serie A titles. However, their European success, especially in the Champions League, is limited, with only two titles and a record seven finals lost.
Despite being a dominant force in Italy, Juventus struggles to compete with other European powerhouses due to lower revenue for Italian teams. This economic factor affects their position on the list of top football clubs.
Forbes values Juventus at $2.00 billion, highlighting their significant presence in football while noting their modest European achievements compared to other top clubs.
12. Borussia Dortmund
- Country: Germany
- Value in $ millions: 1,980
- Revenue ($M): 441
- Operating income ($M): 75
Borussia Dortmund ranks 12th among the most valuable football clubs in 2024. Founded in 1909, the club has won eight league titles and five DFB-Pokals, along with international honors the UEFA Champions League and the Intercontinental Cup.
Dortmund is also notable for its large membership, with over 145,000 members, making it the third-largest sports club in Germany. The club plays at Westfalenstadion, the largest stadium in Germany, and boasts the highest average attendance in the world.
Financially, Borussia Dortmund was ranked as the second richest sports club in Germany and 12th in the world by Deloitte’s Football Money League in 2021. Forbes estimates the club’s value at $1.98 billion.
13. Atlético Madrid
- Country: Spain
- Value in $ millions: 1,600
- Revenue ($M): 382
- Operating income ($M): 20
Atlético Madrid ranks 13th among the most valuable football clubs in 2024. Founded on April 26, 1903, the club has a rich history with 31 national and international titles, including 11 La Liga championships and 10 Copa del Rey trophies.
Since 2017, Atlético has played at the 68,456-seat Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. Their most recent La Liga title was in the 2021/22 season. The club has also reached the UEFA Europa League final three times and won the UEFA Super Cup three times.
Forbes estimates Atlético Madrid’s value at $1.60 billion, highlighting its prominence in the football world.
14. AC Milan
- Country: Italy
- Value in $ millions: 1,430
- Revenue ($M): 405
- Operating income ($M): 81
AC Milan ranks 14th among the most valuable football clubs in 2024. Founded in 1899, the club achieved early success by winning its first scudetto just two years later.
AC Milan entered its golden age in the 1950s, led by a talented Swedish trio: Gren, Liedholm, and Nordahl.
The club continued to thrive, securing two Champions League titles in the 1960s and enjoying another period of success in the late 1980s and early 1990s with stars like Van Basten, Gullit, and Rijkaard.
AC Milan won the Champions League three times in that era and added two more titles in the 2000s, bringing their total to seven.
With legendary players Gianni Rivera, Paolo Maldini, and Pirlo, AC Milan is recognized as one of the greatest clubs in European football history. Forbes estimates its value at $1.4 billion, reflecting its rich legacy in the sport.
15. LAFC
- Country: United States
- Value in $ millions: 1,200
- Revenue ($M): 140
- Operating income ($M): 9
LAFC ranks 15th among the most valuable football clubs in 2024, with an estimated value of $1.2 billion. Founded on October 30, 2014, the club began play in the 2018 season and competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as part of the Western Conference, hosting matches at BMO Stadium.
Under the ownership of Brandon Beck, Larry Berg, and Bennett Rosenthal, along with celebrity part-owner Will Ferrell, LAFC has achieved significant success. The club won the Supporters’ Shield in 2019 and the MLS Cup in 2022, marking a league double.
They also reached the CONCACAF Champions League finals in 2020 and 2023. A notable rivalry with LA Galaxy, has developed since LAFC’s formation.
16. West Ham United
- Country: England
- Value in $ millions: 1,100
- Revenue ($M): 289
- Operating income ($M): 66
West Ham United ranks 16th among the most valuable football clubs in 2024. Founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks, the club became West Ham United in 1900 and moved to the Boleyn Ground in 1904, staying there until their relocation to the London Stadium in 2016.
West Ham has won five major honors in its history, including three FA Cups (1964, 1975, and 1980) and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965. They also finished as runners-up in the 1976 Cup and secured the Europa Conference League title in 2023.
The club has consistently competed in the top tier of English football, spending 66 of 98 league seasons there.
Notably, three West Ham players were part of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team, and the club has a long-standing rivalry with Millwall. Forbes estimates West Ham United’s value at $1.079 billion, highlighting its significance in football.
17. Inter Miami
- Country: Italy
- Value in $ millions: 1,030
- Revenue ($M): 118
- Operating income ($M): 8
Inter Miami ranks 17th among the most valuable football clubs in 2024, valued at $1.03 billion.
Founded in 2018 and co-owned by David Beckham, the club gained fame with the signing of Lionel Messi in 2023. Since starting play in 2020, they’ve also recruited stars like Blaise Matuidi and Sergio Busquets.
Inter Miami won their first major trophy, the 2023 Leagues Cup, and secured their first Supporters’ Shield in 2024. The club is set to participate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
18. Inter Milan
- Country: Italy
- Value in $ millions: 1,026
- Revenue ($M): 348
- Operating income ($M): 44
Inter Milan ranks 18th among the most valuable football clubs in 2024, with an estimated value of $1.026 billion.
Founded in 1908, Inter has consistently competed in Italy’s top football division since 1909. The club boasts an impressive trophy haul, including 19 league titles and 9 Coppa Italia titles.
Inter Milan has won the European Cup/Champions League three times, achieving a historic treble in 2010.
Their home matches are held at the San Siro stadium, shared with AC Milan, and they have strong rivalries with both AC Milan and Juventus. The club is primarily owned by Suning Holdings Group since 2016.
19. LA Galaxy
- Country: United States
- Value in $ millions: 950
- Revenue ($M): 95
- Operating income ($M): 3
In the 2024 rankings, LA Galaxy holds the 19th position among the most valuable football clubs, with an estimated value of $925 million.
Founded in 1994 and starting play in 1996, the club is owned by Anschutz Entertainment Group, which also owns the Los Angeles Kings and has ties to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Initially based at the Rose Bowl, LA Galaxy moved to Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, in 2003. The club has a successful history, winning five MLS Cups and finishing as finalists four times.
LA Galaxy is known for high-profile signings David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Steven Gerrard, and Landon Donovan, enhancing its global appeal and reputation in Major League Soccer.
20. Atlanta United
- Country: United States
- Value in $ millions: 900
- Revenue ($M): 95
- Operating income ($M): 9
Atlanta United, founded in 2014, ranks 20th among the most valuable football clubs in 2024. The team joined Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2017 as the 22nd team and became the first MLS franchise in Atlanta.
The club plays at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which it shares with Atlanta’s NFL team, the Atlanta Falcons. Both teams are owned by Arthur Blank, who co-founded The Home Depot.
Led by Gerardo Martino, Atlanta United had a strong first season, making it to the playoffs. In their second season, they won their first trophy, the MLS Cup, in 2018.
As of 2024, Sportico values the club at around $850 million, putting it among the top 20 most valuable football clubs in the world.