Real Madrid is valued at 2.4 billion and leads world football in brand value: Barcelona, second

Real Madrid retains for the third consecutive year the title of the most valuable and strongest football club brand in the world , with a valuation of 2.4 billion euros , 25% more than the previous year , while Barcelona keeps second place with a value close to 2 billion , according to the "Football 50 2026" report by Brand Finance .

The study also reflects the record growth of the business of football’s biggest brands: the 50 most valuable collectively reach 23.9 billion euros , the largest annual increase since this ranking began to be compiled fifteen years ago. The top ten clubs account for almost two thirds of that value, at 14.9 billion.

The Real Madrid not only leads in economic value, but also in brand strength, with a score of 95.8 out of 100, the highest among the 281 clubs analyzed. The consultancy links this position to the club's international reach, its fan base, its history, the presence of star players, and its ability to turn its sporting prestige into commercial appeal.

The impact of Spotify Camp Nou on Barcelona's 15% growth in value

Barcelona, for its part, remains in second place after increasing its brand value by 15%, bringing it close to 2 billion euros. Brand Finance attributes part of this growth to the return to Spotify Camp Nou after more than two years and to the two consecutive LaLiga titles.

The difference between both Spanish clubs and the rest of world football is once again reflected in the ranking. Arsenal, which makes the biggest jump among the major clubs, rises five places to third position and reaches 1.5 billion euros after increasing its brand value by 28%.

The London club benefits from its return to the top of the Premier League after 22 years and from its presence in the Champions League final.

Bayern Munich is fourth , also with 1.5 billion after growing by 21%, while Paris Saint-Germain retains fifth place. Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United occupy the following positions, and Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund round out the "top 10".

Atlético de Madrid rises to eleventh position worldwide

Spanish dominance is not limited to the two giants. Atlético de Madrid rises to eleventh place in the world after increasing its brand value by 22%, while Betis is behind another of the standout advances by climbing five places, to 33rd, with growth of 14%.

Athletic Club also appears among the 50 most valuable brands, in 39th place; Villarreal, in 45th; and Real Sociedad, which rounds out the ranking in 50th place.

LaLiga remains the second-strongest football league brand in the world

In the realm of national competitions, LaLiga remains the second strongest football league brand in the world, behind only the Premier League and ahead of the Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1.

The consulting firm believes that the challenge for Spanish football now lies in leveraging the international profile of Real Madrid and Barcelona to strengthen the value of the other clubs and LaLiga itself, especially with the 2030 World Cup on the horizon, to be hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco together with Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.