Key findings from the Deloitte Football Money League (formerly the Rich List) include:
Manchester United remains in top position for the eighth year in a row with income of £172million.
Second placed Real Madrid has halved the gap between itself and Manchester United.
Chelsea and Barcelona are the biggest climbers, up from 10th to fourth position and 13th to seventh position respectively.
AC Milan, Chelsea, Juventus, Arsenal and Barcelona are also expected to challenge strongly for a top three position in future seasons.
Bayern Munich and Schalke 04 slip down the Money League despite the German corporate market’s significant contributions to the Bundesliga clubs.
Dan Jones, partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte, said: “The second round of this season’s Champions League draw has paired eight of our top nine Money League clubs with each other.
“The results of these matches may have a big influence on the clubs’ positions in the next Money League. Competing in the Champions League can deliver an extra 10-20 per cent of income for a club.”
The global top 20 is entirely populated by European clubs, with English clubs occupying eight of the positions, Italian clubs five positions, plus two clubs from each of Germany, Scotland and Spain and one club from France.
The UK clubs, who make up half the top 20, have a much more balanced spread of revenue than their European counterparts. Spanish and Italian clubs, in particular, are more dependent on broadcasting largely due to their individual broadcast rights deals.
A stronger French presence in future Money Leagues is also expected following the new £400million per season domestic broadcast deal.
UK clubs differentiate themselves through the revenue-earning capability of their stadium facilities.
