Key Takeaways:
- Real Madrid has become the first football club to record annual revenues above 1.1 billion euros, taking in 1.161 billion euros for 2026
- Commercial operations and full utilisation of the renovated Santiago Bernabéu stadium generated almost 600 million euros for the club
- No English club featured among the top four in Deloitte’s ranking, with Manchester United dropping to eighth – their lowest position in the report’s history
Unprecedented Financial Milestone for Real Madrid
Real Madrid has cemented its dominance in global football finance, achieving a historic feat according to Deloitte’s official 2026 report. The Spanish club’s annual revenue surged by 11 percent, reaching 1.161 billion euros and making them the first football club to ever surpass the 1.1 billion euro barrier in a single year. This milestone comes in a year during which the world’s top twenty football clubs collectively generated a record total of 12.4 billion euros in revenue.
🚨 Real Madrid have recorded the HIGHEST revenue in world football for a third consecutive year. @Deloitte pic.twitter.com/mtCoLUQrbR
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) January 22, 2026
Drivers of Real Madrid’s Economic Success
The club led the Deloitte Money League for the third year in a row, not just securing their dominance on the pitch but establishing themselves as the most formidable economic presence in sport. Real Madrid’s annual revenue now eclipses the gross domestic product of nations such as Saint Kitts and Nevis and Samoa.
The principal contributors to this financial achievement were the club’s commercial endeavours and the strategic use of the fully renovated Santiago Bernabéu stadium, which together delivered nearly 600 million euros from sponsorship deals and merchandising sales alone.
| Rank | Club | Revenue (euros) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid | 1,161,000,000 |
| 2 | Barcelona | 975,000,000 |
| 3 | Bayern Munich | 861,000,000 |
Decline of English Clubs in the Money League
For the first occasion in the 29-year span of Deloitte’s study, no English club appeared among the top four positions in the “Money League”. Manchester United, traditionally a high performer, achieved their lowest historical position in the ranking, descending to eighth place. Meanwhile, Real Madrid continued to lead at the summit, with Barcelona and Bayern Munich completing the top three.
