Overview
- Forbes’ May 29–30, 2026 rankings list Real Madrid as the world’s most valuable football club at $9.5 billion after reporting roughly $1.27 billion in sporting revenue for 2024–25.
- Forbes says that figure is the highest annual sporting revenue it has measured and notes it surpasses the Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 revenue total.
- The valuation growth is tied to stadium income from the renovated Santiago Bernabéu, global commercial deals and Real Madrid’s sustained brand and Champions League profile.
- The 2026 list shows league shifts: 11 Premier League clubs appear in the top 30 and seven Major League Soccer teams are included, with separate outlets such as CNBC publishing different valuations that highlight methodological differences.
- The rankings underline how off-field commercial strength can outpace short-term sporting results and could drive more stadium, sponsorship and media deals while reminding readers that club values vary by how analysts count revenue, ownership stakes and league financial arrangements.