Deloitte Football Money League 2016

Published just eight months after the end of the 2014/15 season, the Money League is the most contemporary and reliable analysis of the clubs’ relative financial performance.

Combined revenue for the top 20 Money League clubs rose 8% to €6.6 billion (£5 billion) in 2014/15. For the first time, the top three clubs have all passed the €500m revenue mark.

A Spanish one-two

Real Madrid topped the Money League for the eleventh consecutive year, having generated €577m (£439m) in the 2014/15 season, buoyed by growth in commercial revenue. Matchday income also saw an increase, and the planned redevelopment of the Santiago Bernabéu should see it continue to grow in the coming years.

FC Barcelona's on-pitch achievements in the 2014/15 season have translated to financial success, with revenue growth in all areas of the business helping the club to climb above Manchester United into second place, with revenues of €560.8m (£426.6m).

Manchester United expected to top next year's Money League

Manchester United slipped one place to third, but remain the highest revenue-generating club from the Premier League, earning €519.5m (£395.2m). The return to UEFA Champions League football, as well as the commencement of a number of significant commercial partnerships, will only strengthen the business in 2015/16. With this in mind, it would not be surprising to see United top next year’s Money League, with the club forecasting revenues of around £500m (around €650m).

A record nine Premier League clubs are ranked within this year’s top 20, one more than in last year’s edition, helped by a 10% strengthening of sterling versus the euro. Premier League clubs now dominate the top 30, with 17 of those clubs having played in the Premier League during the 2014/15 season.