The Brand Finance Football 50 2023 report has listed Manchester City as football’s most valuable brand, becoming the first club side since Real Madrid to take the top spot over the last four years.
Manchester City climbed two places with a 15% brand growth rate (£1.299bn) to take the number one spot ahead of Real Madrid in second (£1.258bn), FC Barcelona in third (£1.185bn), Manchester United in fourth (£1.174bn) and Liverpool in fifth (£1.173bn).
Paris Saint-Germain (sixth), FC Bayern Munich (seventh), Arsenal (eighth), Tottenham Hotspur (ninth), and Chelsea (tenth) make up the rest of the top ten most valuable brand clubs.
City’s all-time high brand value has been attributed to its success on the field, having recently won its third consecutive Premier League title, the F.A Cup last Saturday, and are on the verge of completing a treble if they were to beat Internazionale for the UEFA Champions League title this weekend.
The report outlines that City’s brand value grew 34% since COVID-19 to become the first English club in six years to take the crown.
Roel de Vries, Chief Operating Officer at City Football Group, said: “Being recognised as the world’s most valuable football club brand reflects the phenomenal growth story that Manchester City has had in recent years. This achievement recognises the evolution of not just the brand, but the Club as a whole.
“As we look to the future, we want to keep investing in the right things – our football talent, the city of Manchester and our local community, infrastructure and fan experience. We have a proven track record of innovation and are excited for the next chapter in this Club’s great history.”
The Premier League champions cited its off-the-field work as a key contributor to helping the club become the most valuable brand in the world.
The club highlighted it has broken records for shirt sales over the last year, with the 2022-23 season kits seeing a new shirt sold every 12 seconds on the day of release last year, as well as “huge growth” and engagement on social media channels.
Building upon its brand growth, City recently announced plans to begin its £300m project to renovate the Etihad Stadium north stand as well as other hospitality features to help create a “best-in-class experience” for fans.
