Business analysts at Forbes have released their yearly compilation of the 30 most valuable soccer teams globally.
Forbes’s assessments represent “enterprise values (equity plus net debt) derived from historical transactions and the anticipated economics of each league and team,” calculated across four primary categories: matchday, broadcast, commercial, and club brand.
The figures are based on revenue streams and club financial statements for the relevant period (2023–24 in Europe and February 2025 in North America).
The leading clubs in Europe continue to lead the rankings, yet eight Major League Soccer teams are recognized as some of the most valuable assets worldwide.Below is a detailed overview of the valuations.
Five MLS teams are positioned in the lower third of the top 30 rankings as the value of teams in the United States continues to rise.
Forbes attributes these high valuations to several factors, including lower debt levels compared to Europe, the presence of a salary cap, and the absence of relegation in the nation’s premier league. D.C. United, Seattle Sounders, Austin FC, New York City FC, and Atlanta United all have valuations ranging from $785 million to $975 million.
The remaining spots in the rankings from 30th to 21st are occupied by Premier League teams, with FA Cup champions Crystal Palace lagging behind Fulham, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Aston Villa. Additionally, Roma is included as one of four Italian clubs on the list, holding a valuation of $810 million.
LA Galaxy, Inter Miami, and LAFC are all valued at over $1 billion, with LAFC being the most valuable at $1.5 billion.
The MLS television rights agreement with Apple, along with the hosting of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, has contributed to the increase in valuations within the United States.
Premier League teams Newcastle United and West Ham United are positioned at 19th and 18th, respectively, ranking below Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and the highest-valued MLS team, LAFC.
Atlético Madrid is the sole Spanish club outside of Barcelona and Real Madrid to be included, while no Italian clubs are present in the top ten, with Inter, AC Milan, and Juventus ranked between 17th and 11th. Borussia Dortmund, last year’s Champions League finalists, are one of only two German clubs in the top 30, valued at just over $2 billion.
Premier League giants dominate the top ten, with all of the division’s London clubs represented. Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal each hold a valuation exceeding $3 billion, and there is little distinction among them regarding their total worth.
The 2024–25 Champions League champions, Paris Saint-Germain, are the sole French club in the top 30, currently positioned at seventh.
Their valuation stands at $4.6 billion, which is over $1 billion greater than the previously mentioned London trio.
Their status as European champions is expected to enhance their value in the coming year, following a victory over Inter that secured an additional $28 million.
Bayern Munich unsurprisingly leads the German clubs with a valuation exceeding $5 billion, while Manchester City and Liverpool are closely positioned just above the Bavarians.
Barcelona ranks third and is anticipated to increase in value in the upcoming years due to renovations planned for the Camp Nou.
Despite their disappointing performances on the field in recent years, Manchester United remains the second most valuable club globally, with a total worth of $6.6 billion.
Their prominence and global brand have enabled them to maintain their status as a powerhouse, despite a decline in their on-field standards.
For the fourth consecutive year, Real Madrid holds the title of the world’s most valuable club, having become the first team to exceed $1 billion in revenue for the 2023–24 season. The Dallas Cowboys of the NFL are the only other sports team to have previously achieved this milestone.