Liverpool have emerged as the highest-earning Premier League side for the first time, according to Deloitte’s latest Football Money League report.
The Reds, who clinched the English top-flight title last season, generated €836m (£702m) in revenue—more than any other English club.
Manchester United, meanwhile, dropped to their lowest-ever position in the rankings, falling to eighth despite a modest 3% revenue increase. Real Madrid retained their place at the top with €1.2bn (£1.01bn), while Barcelona climbed back into second on €975m (£819m). Bayern Munich ranked third with €861m (£723m), and Champions League winners Paris St-Germain were fourth on €837m (£703m). Liverpool placed fifth, making them the highest-ranked English side.
Overall, the top 20 clubs recorded an 11% rise in revenue, reaching a record €12.4bn (£10.4bn).
Premier League Still Strong Despite Drop
Despite Liverpool’s rise, no English club featured in the top four for the first time. Manchester City slipped from second to sixth with €829m (£697m), while Arsenal (€822m, £690m) ranked seventh, Tottenham (€673m, £565m) ninth, and Chelsea (€584m, £491m) tenth. Aston Villa, Newcastle United, and West Ham also made the top 20, with Brighton, Everton, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Wolves, and Brentford rounding out the top 30.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire highlighted the importance of Champions League qualification: “For every £1 you get in the Uefa Conference League, you get £2 in the Europa League and £7 in the Champions League.” He noted that Real Madrid and Barcelona have expanded commercial operations, boosting revenues beyond broadcast deals.
United’s Decline
Manchester United, once dominant in revenue generation, fell from fourth to eighth with €793m (£666m). Deloitte’s Tim Bridge observed: “If you looked at their ability to generate commercial revenue, it was the benchmark by which everybody then went to market and set their strategy. I don’t think that remains the case.”
United’s absence from European competition and early exits from domestic cups are expected to further impact matchday income.
Liverpool’s Rise
Maguire attributed Liverpool’s success to Anfield’s expansion and diversification: “It is a case of getting more people into the ground, getting more events at the ground… They have also expanded their megastore operations around the world which brings in those revenues.”
Commercial revenues across the top clubs rose to €5.3bn (£4.5bn), driven by increased use of stadiums on non-matchdays, sponsorship growth, and stronger retail performance.
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Real Madrid’s renovated Bernabeu stadium generated €233m (£203m) in matchday revenue, the second highest ever recorded. Barcelona, despite financial challenges, posted a 27% revenue increase, aided by Personal Seat Licence sales worth €70m.
Matchday income grew fastest, up 16% to €2.4bn (£2bn), while broadcast revenue rose 10%, boosted by the expanded FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA competitions.
Bridge noted that clubs are “taking greater ownership of their revenue-generating capabilities” but warned of the need to balance financial growth with player welfare, as fixture schedules continue to expand.
SOURCE: BBC
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