Barcelona generated more money than any other club in Europe for the first time last season, a study has found. The Catalans have overtaken their Spanish Rivals Real Madrid to top the Deloitte Football Money League for the first time and become the first club to break the 800 million euros (890.9 million U.S. dollars) revenue barrier.
The 23rd edition of the table shows an 11 percent rise in combined revenues, excluding transfer fees, for the top 20 clubs who between them enjoyed turnovers of a record 9.3 billion euros (10.3 billion U.S. dollars) for the 2018-19 season.
Real Madrid have dropped to second, generating income of 757.3 million euros (843.3 million U.S. dollars), while Manchester United remain third.
Arsenal have slipped out of the top 10 or the first time.
Barcelona’s rise to the top with income of 840 million euros (935.4 million U.S. dollars) is a clear sign of ‘a club adapting to changing market conditions’ by bringing merchandising and licensing activities in-house, according to Dan Jones, partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte.
“Barca have reduced the reliance on broadcast revenue and focusing on growing revenues within it’s control,” he said.
“With the club expecting further growth of 30 million euros (33.4 million U.S. dollars) in commercial revenues and total revenue of almost 880 million euros (935.4 million U.S. dollars) in 2019-20 we expect them to retain the top spot next year.
“Barca are on course to achieve its stated ambition to be the first one billion Money League club in years to come.”
Who made the top 20?
Most revenue by clubs in 2018-19
Position Team Revenue £ (2017-18 figure)
1 Barcelona 741.1 (611.6)
2 Real Madrid 667.5 (665.2)
3 Manchester United 627.1 (589.8)
4 Bayern Munich 581.8 (557.4)
5 Paris St-Germain 560.5 (479.9)
6 Manchester City 538.2 (503.5)
7 Liverpool 533 (455.1)
8 Tottenham 459.3 (379.4)
9 Chelsea 452.2 (448)
10 Juventus 405.2 (349.5)
11 Arsenal 392.7 (389.1)
12 Borussia Dortmund 332.4 (281)
11 Atletico Madrid 324 (269.6)
14 Inter Milan 321.3 (248.7)
15 Schalke 286.3 (216)
16 Roma 203.6 (221.5)
17 Lyon 194.6 (145.5)
18 West Ham 190.7 (175.3)
19 Everton 187.7 (188.6)
20 Napoli 182.8 (161.9)
Source: Deloitte Football Money League
The highest-ranked club outside the big five leagues is Ajax Amsterdam in 23rd place.