Brand Finance has released its 2026 Football 50 report, and Premier League clubs have once again made the headlines with their commercial value.
The combined brand value of the world’s 50 most valuable football clubs reached a record £21.1 billion, while their total enterprise value stands at £68.3bn.
The Premier League has played a massive role in that growth, with 18 of its 20 clubs featuring in the Football 50 ranking and accumulating a combined brand value of £8.5bn.
Five English clubs also sit inside the global top 10, highlighting the remarkable depth of the Premier League’s commercial strength.
Arsenal rise above rivals to become most valuable club in the Premier League
The biggest story among Premier League clubs is Arsenal, who have become England’s most valuable football brand for the first time.
Their brand value has jumped an impressive 35% to £1.35bn, while their Brand Strength Index score has climbed to 94.0 out of 100.
That jump puts Arsenal third in the world, behind only Real Madrid and Barcelona. It has also moved them ahead of Premier League rivals Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United.
Arsenal’s successful 2025/26 campaign played a huge role in the club’s historic commercial achievement.
After three consecutive years finishing as runners-up, Arsenal finally won the Premier League title last season, ending their 22-year wait for England’s holy grail.
That achievement has helped to change how the fans see the club. More of them now associate the Gunners with ambition, heritage and an exciting brand of football.
Arsenal have also extended their five-year sponsorship deal with Emirates, worth up to £70 million per season.
That highlights the strength of Arsenal’s global appeal and the value that major partners place on the club’s brand.
Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United remain global giants
Arsenal may have taken the biggest leap, but Man City, Liverpool and Man United are still among the most valuable football brands on the planet.
Man City’s brand value increased by 9% to £1.30bn, Liverpool rose 11% to £1.29bn and Man United climbed 22% to £1.27bn.
Despite these gains, all three dropped one position in the global rankings, although Liverpool’s numbers were particularly eye-catching in terms of enterprise value.
The club is valued at £4.4bn on this measure, giving it the fifth-highest enterprise value among the clubs included in the Football 50.
That highlights how much investors value clubs with huge international audiences, strong commercial partnerships and multiple sources of revenue.
Chelsea are the final Premier League club to make the top 10 world’s most valuable clubs ranking. Their brand value increased 5% to £840.4 million, keeping them in ninth position globally.
The Premier League continues to dominate the global football market
The number of Premier League clubs in the top 10 and their combined figures explain why it’s such a powerful global football brand.
According to Brand Finance, the Premier League trumps La Liga in perceptions of having world-class clubs, with 56% compared with 54%.
The Premier League also pipped La Liga in terms of competitiveness, at 69% compared with 51%.
Unlike La Liga, the Premier League isn’t overly dependent on two juggernauts.
While its ‘Big Six’ pass as the face of the league, the Premier League’s commercial strength is spread across much of the competition, creating a league filled with valuable brands.
The 2026 ranking shows how football clubs have developed into major global businesses, where sporting success, fan loyalty, reputation and commercial investments are connected.
Meanwhile, Arsenal will be keen to maintain their spot at the pinnacle of English football this season.
Pep Guardiola’s departure from Man City has left the club in a transition, paving the way for Arsenal to potentially power to another Premier League title.
