Explained: Which football clubs generated highest revenue, the biggest gainers and losers

Real Madrid are back as the highest revenue generating club, according to the Deloitte Football Money League, The Deloitte Football Money League is the financial rankings of the highest revenue generating football clubs in the world. As per the rankings, Real Madrid are back in the pole position having generated a record revenue of 831 million euros ($905 million) in 202-23 season. The Spanish giants reported an increase of 118 million euros over the previous year which has helped them return to pole position for the first time since 2017-18 and surpassed Manchester City. We take a look at the top 20 clubs in the Deloitte Football Money League and the major findings about the economic status of the best teams. Biggest findings – The biggest 20 clubs in the world who generated highest revenue together earned a record-breaking 10.5 billion euros in the 2022/23 season, which is 14% more than last season when it was 9.2 billion euros. – The revenue growth in 2022-23 season was propelled by matchday and commercial incomes (1.9 billion euros and 4.4 billion euros respectively). The commercial revenue was more than broadcast income. – The average matchday, broadcast and commercial revenue generated by Money League’s top 20 clubs during 2023 was 93 million euros, 213 million euros and 222 million euros respectively. This was 68 million euros, 203 million euros and 190 million euros in 2022. – Manchester City, who won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup last season, fell to the second spot, earning 5 million euros less than Real Madrid. In total the club reported its highest ever revenue for a season, 826 million euros, and bolstered both broadcast and commercial revenues by 50 million euros and 26 million euros respectively. – Paris Saint-Germain (802 million euros), Barcelona (800 million euros) and Manchester United (746 million euros) are the third, fourth and fifth team respectively on the Deloitte Football Money League. – PSG have broken into the top three for the first time in the Money League, while Barcelona are one of the biggest movers, jumping from seventh place to fourth on the back of club’s licensing and merchandising revenues and fans returning to stadium. – The bottom half of the table is dominated by Premier League clubs - 6. Bayern Munich (744 million euros), 7. Liverpool (683 million euros), 8. Tottenham Hotspur (631.5 million euros), 9. Chelsea (589.4 million euros), 10. Arsenal (532.6 million euros). [caption id=“attachment_13654872” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Liverpool fell to seventh from fourth spot in Deloitte Football Money League. AP[/caption] – Liverpool are the biggest faller in the list despite their income rising. They have gone from third to seventh after poor outing in domestic and European competitions. – Big changes were seen in positions between 11-20 as Eintracht Frankfurt, SCC Napoli and Olympique de Marseille replaced three English clubs - Leicester City, Leeds United and Everton, which indicated how much the on field performance can influence the revenue generation. – Also, the number of Premier League clubs in the Money League has come down to eight from a minimum of 10 clubs in past two seasons. – Seventeen of the top 20 clubs reported a year-on-year increase in commercial revenue, with growth largely attributable to improved retail sales, revenue from non-matchday events and recovery of sponsorship income which had been impacted by the pandemic. Tim Bridge, lead partner in financial experts Deloitte’s Sports Business Group, said: “Another record-breaking year for Money League clubs represents the ongoing financial might of the football industry. A high demand for live sport is pointing towards further growth for commercial and matchday revenues, in particular. “As clubs appear to no longer be able to rely on exponential broadcast revenue growth, creating a more commercially focused business model will support them to achieve greater control over their financial stability.” Top football clubs in Deloitte Football Money League [caption id=“attachment_13654852” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Image: Deloitte[/caption] Barca lead in women’s football In women’s football, Barcelona topped the list with a revenue of 13.4 million euros followed by Manchester United (8 million euros), Real Madrid (7.4 million euros), Manchester City (5.3 million euros) and Arsenal (5.3 million euros).