The global soccer landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, and the numbers prove it. According to Sportico’s 2025 rankings, Major League Soccer (MLS) has more clubs in the world’s top 50 most valuable soccer franchises than any other league, with an impressive 19 clubs featured. These teams collectively reflect the booming valuation of soccer in North America, driven by strategic expansion, media rights deals, and growing global appeal.
Global Overview: Real Madrid on Top, Crystal Palace Rounds Out the List
- Real Madrid retains its crown as the most valuable soccer club in the world, boasting a staggering valuation of $6.53 billion and generating $1.13 billion in revenue.
- Manchester United, FC Barcelona, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich round out the top five.
- At the other end of the spectrum is the EPL’s Crystal Palace, coming in at No. 50 with a $610 million valuation.
MLS Surge: 19 Clubs in the Top 50
The biggest story is MLS. The league has more clubs in the top 50 than the English Premier League (EPL), which has 14. Some of the standout MLS entries include:
- Los Angeles FC (#16) – $1.28 billion
- Inter Miami (#17) – $1.19 billion
- LA Galaxy (#18) – $1.11 billion
- Atlanta United (#19) – $1.08 billion
- New York City FC (#20) – $1 billion
Even newer franchises like Austin FC, St. Louis City SC, and Charlotte FC are being valued at over $650 million, a testament to MLS’s expansion success and the growing value of U.S.-based soccer clubs.
The European Stronghold Remains at the Top
While MLS dominates in volume, the top-tier valuations are still European. The top 15 clubs are all from Europe, including stalwarts from the EPL, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1:
- Manchester United (#2) – $6.09 billion
- FC Barcelona (#3) – $5.71 billion
- Manchester City (#6) – $5.16 billion
- Paris Saint-Germain (#8) – $4.26 billion
- AC Milan (#14) – $1.34 billion
Revenue Comparison Highlights Commercial Strength
While U.S. clubs are rising in valuation, European clubs still lead the way in annual revenue, often by hundreds of millions of dollars. Real Madrid’s $1.13 billion in revenue dwarfs LAFC’s $142 million, for example. However, the long-term commercial growth of MLS, coupled with the 2026 FIFA World Cup being co-hosted by the U.S., could further close that gap.
Full League Representation in the Top 50
Here’s how the top 50 breaks down by league:
- MLS: 19 clubs
- EPL: 14 clubs
- Serie A: 5 clubs
- LaLiga: 3 clubs
- Bundesliga: 3 clubs
- Ligue 1: 2 clubs
- Liga MX: 2 clubs
- Eredivisie: 1 club
- Primeira Liga: 1 club
Bottom Line
The total value of the top 50 clubs exceeds $86 billion, and MLS’s dominance in representation marks a significant paradigm shift in global soccer economics. While the historic European powerhouses still generate more revenue and hold higher per-club valuations, MLS is emerging as the league with the broadest financial footprint, a sign of soccer’s growing influence in the U.S. market.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, and MLS continues expanding with record-breaking franchise fees and new stadiums, this trend is only expected to intensify—making the U.S. a true power player in global football.
