Insights - Football Benchmark

Profitability in football: Lessons from Europe’s most profitable clubs

Clubs at every level are now operating in an environment defined as much by financial sustainability as by sporting success. Yet profitability remains a defining challenge for most. Our analysis of financial results over the past six seasons shows that profitability is possible across different contexts, but there is no single formula for success. Bayern, Manchester City and Real Madrid stand apart as revenue giants, combining cost discipline with record-breaking income. Elsewhere, other clubs have demonstrated how profitability can be built on sporting domination, strong player recruitment, development, and well-timed sales, often complemented by sustainable business practices. This article explores these different pathways to profitability and the common lessons they offer to the wider industry.

UEFA Club Competition reforms over the years: Analysing the impact on clubs in small and medium-sized markets

What has been the impact of UEFA Club Competition reforms on smaller and medium-sized market clubs? For clubs from UEFA nations ranked 11-55 by average club revenues, reforms over the past two decades have significantly expanded participation. In 2024/25, clubs from these markets secured nearly half of all league phase places across the three competitions. The UEFA Conference League has quickly established itself as a genuine platform for new stories of success, while breakthroughs in the UEFA Champions League have become increasingly rare. This week’s analysis looks at how UEFA Club Competition reforms have shaped access and performance for these clubs, and asks whether the benefits of expanded participation can translate into broader and more sustainable growth across European club football.

Atlético de Madrid’s transformation: A decade of capital, competitiveness, and global reach

Atlético de Madrid’s transformation over the past decade reflects both sustained sporting success and consistent financial growth. Revenues have increased steadily and Enterprise Value has more than tripled, underpinning the rise of a strong global brand to accompany the team’s achievements on the pitch. This evolution illustrates the complexity of building an elite football institution. Sporting success created the credibility to attract capital, that capital enabled squad investment, and investment in turn underpinned infrastructure and international expansion. Today, the club is no longer the gritty outsider of a decade ago, but a globally minded organisation intent on standing alongside Europe’s giants. This analysis looks at how the club has balanced capital injections, player trading, infrastructure and international expansion to rise among Europe’s elite, and asks what challenges remain for the future.

The changing face of transfer spending: What the most expensive deals reveal about how elite clubs are aligning fees with revenues and player value

The changing face of transfer spending: What the most expensive deals reveal about how elite clubs are aligning fees with revenues and player value Each summer, transfer speculation dominates football discourse, often attracting more attention than what happens on the pitch during the season. But behind the excitement of who a club’s next Galáctico might be, a clear shift has taken place in how elite clubs approach transfer spending.

Madrid as a football hub: Assessing the market, clubs and investment landscape

In recent years, a growing number of investors have begun looking beyond the traditional football giants, turning their attention to clubs based in major football cities. These urban centres, rich in history, talent, infrastructure, and commercial potential, offer compelling upside for strategic investment. The density of football activity in such cities makes them natural hubs for talent development and operational synergies, while their visibility and accessibility help attract players, staff, and commercial partners. Madrid is one of the world’s most iconic football cities. It is home to two of the game’s biggest names but beyond these global brands, the Spanish capital is also home to a cluster of smaller professional clubs that together form a dense and highly competitive football ecosystem. This week’s analysis explores the capital’s football economy, as interest continues to grow in the broader opportunities within the Madrid football market.

Mapping Sporting Directors: Football decision-maker trends across Europe’s “Big Five” leagues

The Sporting Director role has never been more visible or more complex. From managing recruitment and youth development to setting long-term football strategy and aligning with ownership vision, the scope of the role continues to expand. Yet for all its importance, it remains difficult to benchmark: job titles vary, responsibilities differ, and club governance models are far from uniform. This week’s analysis maps out the Sporting Director landscape across the “Big Five” leagues, examining who holds these roles and what traits define them. We explore the prevalence of former players, the balance between internal and external appointments, the surprisingly short average tenure of just 2.6 years, and how nationality and experience vary across markets.

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