Man City pass Real Madrid to become most valuable football ‘brand’ with Man United fifth

Treble-chasing Manchester City have surpassed Real Madrid as football’s most valuable brand.

City, who can add the Champions League to their Premier League title and FA Cup win if they beat Inter Milan this Saturday, have seen their brand value soar 15 per cent this year to £1.29billion.

That saw them overtake reigning European champions Real Madrid, whose brand value dropped three per cent to £1.26bn, according to an analysis by Brand Finance.

City’s on-field success, especially this season as they chase an historic triple trophy haul, plus the continued expansion of the Etihad Stadium, has boosted their international exposure and prestige, leading to greater sponsorship and commercial appeal.

They thrashed Real 4-0 in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final and have now beaten them in terms of brand value too.

City beat Real Madrid in the Champions League and have now surpassed them for brand worth

The Brand Finance analysis revealed that City had witnessed a 15 per cent rise, as Real fell off

However, Brand Finance said Real remained the strongest brand in world football and were most likely to be considered ‘the best club in the world’ by fans.

Barcelona came third in the ranking, with a five per cent increase in brand value to £1.185bn, with Manchester United leaping ahead of rivals Liverpool into fourth spot.

However, the two north-west rivals could barely be separated, with United worth £1.174bn (up 11 per cent) and Liverpool £1.173bn (up nine per cent).

United’s successful season under Erik ten Hag had ‘reconnected the team with the fans and laid the foundations for a renewed bid for future success,’ the report said.

Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich occupied sixth and seventh spots before three Premier League clubs – Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea – closed out the top 10.

Arsenal’s brand value had risen 16 per cent to £782million following their strong challenge for the Premier League title.

Chelsea’s had risen by two per cent to £742m off the back of a disappointing campaign and lower half finish, making them only the sixth-highest English club. Spurs’ value rose five per cent to £774m.

Brand Finance said fellow London clubs Brentford and Fulham were new entries into their top 50 chart, at 43rd and 49th positions respectively.

Manchester United’s positive season saw them overtake rivals Liverpool for brand value

Barcelona, who won the Spanish league title this season, occupy third position on the list

Chelsea’s disappointing season saw them ranked only the sixth-highest Premier League club

Newcastle United were reported to have the fastest-growing brand value of any United Kingdom club following an increase of 33 per cent to £216m in the wake of their Saudi takeover in 2021.

Hugo Hensley, Head of Sports Services at Brand Finance, said: ‘Manchester City 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 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.’