Barcelona made history by overtaking Real Madrid to lead the Deloitte Football Money League for the first time, becoming the first club to surpass €800 million in revenue.
The 23rd edition of the report revealed that Barcelona generated €840.8 million in the 2018-19 season, showcasing their financial dominance.
Record-Breaking Revenues
The top 20 clubs collectively earned a record €9.3 billion, an 11% increase from the previous season, excluding transfer fees.
Real Madrid fell to second with €757.3 million, while Manchester United held third place. Barcelona’s rise was attributed to strategic moves like bringing merchandising and licensing in-house, reducing reliance on broadcast revenue, according to Dan Jones, partner at Deloitte’s Sports Business Group.
Barcelona’s Financial Strategy
Jones noted, “Barcelona’s focus on growing controlled revenues, like commercial deals, has fueled their success.”
The club projected an additional €30 million in commercial income for 2019-20, aiming for nearly €880 million total revenue. Deloitte expects Barcelona to retain the top spot and potentially become the first €1 billion club in future years.
Shifts in the Rankings
Bayern Munich stayed fourth, while Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) entered the top five, overtaking Manchester City.
Liverpool, fresh off their Champions League win, ranked seventh, just ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, who climbed to eighth with €521.1 million, surpassing Chelsea and Arsenal to become London’s top earner for the first time since 1996-97.
Arsenal dropped out of the top 10, a first in the report’s history.
Premier League’s Dominance
The Premier League’s lucrative TV deals powered eight clubs into the top 20, including Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, Everton, Leicester City, and West Ham.
Spain’s La Liga had three clubs (Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid), Germany’s Bundesliga had three (Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Schalke), and Italy’s Serie A had four, with Juventus leading at 10th, boosted by Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival, generating €459.7 million.
European Football’s Financial Gap
Jones highlighted the growing divide in football finance, noting “mini-leagues within the Money League.”
The top five clubs’ combined revenue exceeded that of clubs ranked 10th to 20th, driven by soaring broadcast rights.
Outside the big five leagues, Ajax Amsterdam was the highest-ranked club at 23rd, underscoring the dominance of Europe’s major leagues.
Looking Ahead
Barcelona’s financial milestone signals their adaptability in a competitive market, while the Money League reflects the widening gap between football’s elite and smaller clubs.
As broadcast and commercial revenues continue to grow, the sport’s financial landscape remains dynamic, with Barcelona setting a new benchmark.
