The business side of the beautiful game continues to evolve at breakneck speed. Sportico’s latest soccer club valuations reveal a global sport experiencing dramatic shifts in financial power, with Real Madrid ($6.53 billion) reclaiming the top spot over Manchester United ($6.09 billion) and the world’s top 50 clubs now worth a combined $86 billion.
Perhaps most striking among Sportico’s list of the 50 most valuable clubs is Major League Soccer’s growing footprint: 19 MLS teams now rank among the world’s top 50, though they largely populate the bottom 70% of the rankings. European giants still dominate the top tier (12 of the top 15 slots), but the financial landscape beneath them is changing rapidly—and MLS is a big part of this change.
Since Sportico allows readers to look at data from 2023 to present, we have a three-year window into growth in club valuations and revenues. Here’s what the data tells us:
Key Insight: Eight of the top 10 teams leading the pack in club valuation growth are in MLS
See the tables below for more details on valuation and revenue growth by specific clubs. Note, the tables below do not include any clubs whose valuations were not in Sportico’s top 50 in 2023 (ex: Aston Villa, Newcastle United).
Sportico Top 10: Change in Valuation (2023 to 2025)
| Club | 2023 Valuation ($M) | 2025 Valuation ($M) | Valuation Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inter Miami | 585 | 1,190 | 103.40% |
| New York City FC | 690 | 1,000 | 44.90% |
| Los Angeles FC | 900 | 1,380 | 42.20% |
| West Ham United | 665 | 940 | 41.40% |
| Everton | 600 | 825 | 37.50% |
| Austin FC | 630 | 865 | 37.30% |
| FC Cincinnati | 550 | 725 | 31.80% |
| Columbus Crew | 560 | 730 | 30.40% |
| LA Galaxy | 865 | 1,110 | 28.30% |
| Atlanta United | 855 | 1,080 | 26.30% |
The Numbers Behind the Headlines
Looking at the three years of valuation and revenue data as we did above, several insights emerge that go well beyond the headline rankings. Here are a few that stood out:
The Premier League’s Widening Financial Gulf
The Premier League’s financial dominance continues unabated with 14 clubs in the top 50 most valuable. The league’s £10.5 billion broadcast deal—now featuring international rights that exceed domestic—creates a financial foundation unmatched in global soccer.
The valuation growth rate among Premier League clubs varies dramatically. While Newcastle United (+32.9% from 2024 to 2025), Aston Villa (+41.7% from 2024 to 2025), and West Ham United (+41.4% from 2023 to 2025) have experienced explosive growth from lower starting points, established giants like Manchester United (+2.4% from 2023 to 2025) and Chelsea (+2.9% from 2023 to 2025) show more modest percentage increases.
This divergence is natural—the latter clubs already command massive valuations and global followings, leaving less room for dramatic percentage growth relative to others earlier in their commercial development cycle. But one thing is for sure: Premier League clubs—at least the ones that maintain their place in the league—are growing in valuation and revenues at a large clip.
Additional insight: Non-“Big Six” Premier League clubs saw an average valuation growth of 39.4% between 2023-2025, more than double the growth rate of La Liga clubs (19.6%), nearly triple that of Bundesliga clubs (13.9%), and over four times the rate of Serie A clubs (8.8%). This demonstrates the Premier League’s global growth is lifting mid-tier clubs to unprecedented heights.
The Messi Effect Is Real—and Quantifiable
This may come as no surprise, but Inter Miami’s financial transformation stands as the most dramatic in global soccer. The club’s 103.4% valuation growth and staggering 251.9% revenue surge coincide directly with Lionel Messi’s arrival. No other club in the dataset comes close to these growth rates. Just take a look at the rest of the top 10 in Sportico’s revenue growth rankings:
Sportico Top 10: Change in Revenue (2023 to 2025)
| Club | 2021-22 Revenue ($M) | 2023-24 Revenue ($M) | Valuation Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inter Miami | 54 | 190 | 251.90% |
| Napoli | 173 | 276 | 59.50% |
| Olympique Lyonnais | 181 | 285 | 57.50% |
| Arsenal | 491 | 773 | 57.40% |
| Columbus Crew | 55 | 84 | 52.70% |
| AC Milan | 299 | 433 | 44.80% |
| New York City FC | 55 | 79 | 43.60% |
| Los Angeles FC | 100 | 142 | 42.00% |
| Philadelphia Union | 48 | 67 | 39.60% |
| Real Madrid | 815 | 1130 | 38.70% |
This “Messi Effect” offers a case study in how a single superstar can transform a club’s commercial prospects. Inter Miami has vaulted from a $585 million valuation to $1.19 billion in just three years, demonstrating that the right marquee signing can be financially transformative, particularly in emerging soccer markets.
Additional insight: As you can see in the table above, Inter Miami isn’t the only MLS club to rank among the top 10 clubs in terms of revenue growth. In fact, half of top 10 teams in revenue growth are in the league, with each experiencing a 40% revenue growth since 2021-22.
Liga MX has two giants in a top-heavy market
Liga MX is establishing itself as the third most valuable soccer league in the Americas, though with a financial structure more similar to Europe’s top-heavy model than MLS’s balanced approach. While MLS dominates headlines with 19 clubs in the top 50, Mexico’s biggest clubs—Club América ($770M) and Guadalajara ($730M)—command valuations comparable to established European clubs like Napoli ($775M) and mid-tier Premier League teams.
What’s distinctive about Liga MX’s position is that while only its top clubs appear in the global top 50, their valuation-to-revenue multiple (approximately 4.6x) aligns closely with European leagues (4.2x) rather than MLS (9.4x). This suggests a financial disparity within Liga MX that likely mirrors European leagues, with an enormous gap between top clubs and the rest of the league—a stark contrast to the more equitable structure of MLS.
With revenue growth of roughly 33% for Club América and Chivas over the three-year period, Liga MX’s giants demonstrate the commercial potential of the Mexican market ahead of the 2026 World Cup. However, this top-heavy financial distribution highlights both the strength of Mexico’s traditional powerhouses and the challenges faced by the league’s smaller clubs in closing the valuation gap, something the single-entity MLS model specifically addresses.
Different Business Models, Different Multiples
The most revealing insight from Sportico’s data is how league structures directly impact valuations beyond revenue. MLS clubs command 9.4 times their revenue in valuation, while European clubs and the two biggest clubs in Liga MX command 4.2 times and 4.6 times, respectively.
These ratios reflect different business models: Europe’s open system offers higher revenues but with relegation risk and often unsustainable spending, while MLS’s closed system with salary caps and guaranteed participation creates stability that comes at a premium. Liga MX blends elements of both approaches.
These contrasting approaches produce different winners: European giants lead in valuations through revenue generation, MLS clubs show superior percentage growth via structural advantages, and Liga MX’s top clubs remain relevant through strong local markets despite traditional financial structures.
The Next Five Years: What Will Change?
As we look toward 2030 and the end of the decade, several forces will reshape club valuations and the business of soccer. Here are a few things we expect to see:
1) The $10 Billion Club Barrier Will Fall
Given current growth trajectories, Real Madrid is positioned to become soccer’s first $10 billion franchise before the decade ends. Their 24.9% three-year valuation growth, combined with their renovated stadium and expanded commercial opportunities, creates a clear path to this historic milestone. Manchester United, Barcelona, and Liverpool could follow by 2030 if they can match Madrid’s commercial innovation.
2) The 2026 World Cup Will Accelerate North American Growth
The 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will serve as a catalyst for MLS valuations. With heightened global attention on North American soccer, MLS clubs are positioned to convert tournament momentum into sustained commercial growth. By 2030, expect at least five MLS franchises to exceed $2 billion valuations, led by Los Angeles FC, Inter Miami, and LA Galaxy, all of which have already crossed the $1 billion threshold.
3) Ownership Models Will Continue to Evolve
State-backed clubs (PSG, Manchester City) show strong commercial performance but haven’t yet matched the traditional giants in total valuation. The next five years will likely see continued expansion of multi-club ownership networks like City Football Group and Red Bull. Clubs within these networks may command valuation premiums due to things like operational efficiencies, technology sharing, and global marketing advantages.
4) The Expanded Club World Cup May Create New Value Tiers
FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup has the potential to become a valuation driver by 2030. Regular participation will create significant commercial advantages, including global exposure and new revenue streams—especially given FIFA announced $1 billion in prize money for the 2025 tournament. This 32-team tournament could create stronger brand recognition for clubs from smaller leagues that qualify, potentially disrupting the traditional valuation hierarchy.
5) Saudi Investment Will Reshape the Global Market
Though not present in the current rankings, Saudi Pro League clubs will likely enter the top 50 valuations by 2030. Their massive investment in global stars and infrastructure will create a new valuation race between traditional European powers and MLS. This development could potentially displace clubs from Serie A, Ligue 1, and other leagues with less robust financial foundations.
Conclusion: What It All Means
The gap between elite clubs and the rest will widen, but new pathways to financial relevance will emerge through innovative ownership models, strategic tournament participation, and market development.
For fans, these changes bring both concerns and opportunities. While competitive balance issues may intensify at the highest levels, more clubs will have the resources to develop world-class facilities and attract elite talent. The business of soccer is becoming more complex, but the fundamental appeal of the sport—its global accessibility and emotional connection with fans—remains its most valuable asset.