Key Takeaways:
- The European Commission has approved Apollo Capital Management’s acquisition of a majority stake in Atlético Madrid
- The Commission determined on regulatory review that the transaction does not create competition issues
- Apollo’s past sports investments include stakes in Madrid Open and Miami Open tennis tournaments
Regulatory Green Light for Apollo’s Majority Ownership
The European Commission has officially sanctioned the takeover of Club Atlético de Madrid S.A.D. by the American investment firm Apollo Capital Management. In an official release, the Commission stated: “The European Commission has approved, under the Merger Regulation, the acquisition by Apollo Capital Management, USA, of Club Atlético de Madrid S.A.D.” Regulatory review concluded that the transaction is not seen as problematic since the involved enterprises operate in distinct sectors.
The 🇪🇺 Commission clears acquisition of Club Atlético de Madrid by Apollo Funds ✅
For more information 👇
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— EU Competition (@EU_Competition) January 27, 2026
Details of the Acquisition Structure
This agreement, unveiled in November 2025, was reached between Apollo and key stakeholders including Chief Executive Officer Miguel Ángel Gil, club president Enrique Cerezo, as well as Quantum Pacific Group and Ares Management, who are principal shareholders. Prior to this deal, the main controlling entity was Atlético HoldCo – comprised of shares belonging to Miguel Ángel Gil Marín and Enrique Cerezo. The American investment fund Ares became involved by participating in a capital increase in 2021, acquiring approximately 33.96% of Atlético HoldCo and bringing its total stake to 70.47%. Meanwhile, Quantum Pacific Group, owned by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer, controlled 27.84% of the club’s shares.
| Shareholder | Stake in Atlético Madrid | Notable Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Atlético HoldCo (Miguel Ángel Gil & Enrique Cerezo) | 70.47% | Includes Ares’ 33.96% share via capital increase in 2021 |
| Quantum Pacific Group (Idan Ofer) | 27.84% | Israeli billionaire ownership |
Apollo’s Wider Sports Investment Portfolio
Apollo Sports Capital (ASC), the division responsible for the Atlético Madrid investment, also holds interests in notable tennis tournaments such as the Madrid Open and Miami Open, alongside various other sports assets.
