The richest clubs in the world are Europe’s powerhouse establishments, the aristocracy of the continental game.

Except for Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, eight of the world’s top 10 wealthiest football teams are historic European clubs.

In recent years, Middle Eastern Oil money has infiltrated the status quo, and the modern football landscape has shifted.

However, despite some nouveau riche football clubs (Newcastle United and RB Leipzig included) making waves, the old guard still commands most of the money and power.

In January 2024, the Deloitte Football Money League posted its findings on which clubs bring in the most money in world football.

SportsBoom decided to dig deeper into football’s elite rich list to find out who the top 10 richest football clubs in the world.

Who are the top 10 richest football clubs in the world?

Real Madrid, the “Kings of Europe,” Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and Manchester United are the top five wealthiest clubs.

Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Arsenal make up the rest of the top 10 richest football clubs in the world in 2024.

Deloitte found that the "total revenue generated by the top 20 Money League clubs in 2022/23 is a record £9.2bn, a 14% increase over the previous year and pre-pandemic levels (£7.7bn – in both 2021/22 and 2018/19)."

This is the first time the top 20 richest clubs' cumulative revenue surpassed £9bn.

However, the top 10 clubs have remained unchanged since 2021/22.

Deloitte explains there were minimal changes year-on-year elsewhere in the top 10, with no club moving by more than one position.

The top 10 richest football clubs in the world list see six Premier League clubs dominate.

The Premier League's astronomical television rights deals, which dwarf the other big five leagues in Europe, and the English top-flights international appeal, have brought unrivaled riches to English football.

La Liga's two powerhouse clubs Real Madrid, who top the list, and Barcelona (4th) are the two biggest supported clubs in Spain.

They have two of the largest worldwide followings to keep the money rolling into the coffers.

France and Germany each have one team representing Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga.

Bayern Munich's international supporters surpass City, PSG, and Chelsea, and they are Germany's biggest, most famous football institution. 

The 10 Richest Clubs in World Football (Revenue)

Summary of the richest football clubs in the world

Deloitte notes that Real Madrid sits at the top of the list because they eclipsed City with record revenues for 2022/2 of £723 million an increase of £118.5m over the last year.

However, Deloitte reports that Manchester City reported its highest-ever revenue for a season, £718.2m, up from £619.1m the previous year.

City's 'Treble', winning the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup, bolstered broadcast and commercial revenues by £43m and £22.2m respectively.

It has been a long road for City, but they’ve turned decades of despair into domestic dominance in England with the help of Sheikh Mansour’s unlimited oil money.

Madrid's growth, however, is attributable to strong retail performance and higher stadium attendance, following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

Los Blancos have increased its stadium capacity, and City struggles to sell out their ground.

When you consider Madrid's worldwide support, compared to City having a small, local following, and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium's increased capacity, it is surprising the English club is second.

If these 10 clubs continue to dominate their respective domestic leagues, and do well in the Champions League, they will remain the wealthiest football clubs in the world.