Real Madrid remains the world’s most valuable football club brand in Brand Finance’s 2026 report, holding first place for a third year in succession. Arsenal is the standout mover, breaking into the top three.
Quick facts
- Real Madrid: brand value up 25%; Brand Strength Index score of 95.8/100.
- Barcelona: brand value increased 15%, supported by two straight La Liga championships and a staged return to Spotify Camp Nou.
- Arsenal: the leading climber among the biggest clubs, rising 28% and five positions.
- Arsenal’s progress followed a first Premier League title in 22 years and a Champions League final appearance.
Real Madrid’s growth has been helped by the renovated Santiago Bernabéu now operating at full capacity. The club also records the highest Brand Strength Index rating in the study, with 95.8 out of 100.
Barcelona’s 15% improvement comes after consecutive La Liga triumphs and the gradual reopening of Spotify Camp Nou.
Arsenal has made the largest advance among the leading clubs, climbing five places after ending a 22-year wait for a Premier League crown and reaching the Champions League final.
Bayern Munich sits fourth with an estimated brand value of $1.748M, followed by Paris Saint-Germain in fifth at $1.734M. Manchester City is sixth at $1.709M.
Manchester United occupies eighth place with a value of $1.659M, while Borussia Dortmund is 10th at $766M.
Real Madrid is the first club in the history of the ranking to move clearly beyond the brand-value mark.
Spanish teams continue to command the highest positions, while Arsenal’s surge underlines the expanding commercial strength of Premier League clubs enjoying a revival.
