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Galatasaray nears $1B valuation, returns to Europe's top clubs list

Victor Osimhen (45) of Galatasaray celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal during Turkish Super Lig week 15 football match between Galatasaray and Samsunspor at RAMS Park in Istanbul, Türkiye, December 5, 2025. (AA Photo)
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Victor Osimhen (45) of Galatasaray celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal during Turkish Super Lig week 15 football match between Galatasaray and Samsunspor at RAMS Park in Istanbul, Türkiye, December 5, 2025. (AA Photo)
May 30, 2026 03:06 AM GMT+03:00

Turkish champions Galatasaray ranked among Europe's 32 most valuable football clubs in 2026, becoming the first Turkish club to enter the ranking since 2022 and placing 23rd with an enterprise value of $848 million, according to Football Benchmark's latest report.

The club's valuation has more than doubled from $391 million in 2022 to $848 million in 2026, marking an increase of $457 million, or 116.9%, according to the report. Galatasaray was one of four new entrants in the 2026 ranking, alongside Premier League club Newcastle United, Dutch side Feyenoord and France's Lille.

Galatasaray joins Europe's football elite

As Türkiye's sole representative in the ranking, Galatasaray accounted for roughly 1% of its total value and finished ahead of several established European sides, including France's Marseille ($782 million), Italy's Atalanta ($748 million), the Netherlands' PSV Eindhoven ($724 million), Portugal's Porto ($702 million), Dutch club Feyenoord ($615 million) and Ajax ($591 million).

The report highlighted that six clubs from outside Europe's five biggest leagues made the ranking in 2026, up from four in the previous edition, with Istanbul-based Galatasaray helping expand that group.

Spanish giants Real Madrid remained Europe's most valuable football club with an enterprise value of $9.05 billion, while archrival Barcelona climbed to second place with a valuation of $6.94 billion after recording the largest year-on-year increase among all clubs, adding approximately $1.71 billion in value, or 33%.

England's Manchester City ranked third at $5.98 billion, narrowly ahead of fellow Premier League side Manchester United at $5.97 billion, while Arsenal completed the top five with a valuation of $5.78 billion.

The report noted that the aggregate enterprise value of Europe's top 32 clubs reached $85.1 billion in 2026, reflecting continued growth in the business of elite European football.

Table shows Football Benchmark's 2026 enterprise value rankings for Europe's top 32 football clubs. (Image via Football Benchmark)
Table shows Football Benchmark's 2026 enterprise value rankings for Europe's top 32 football clubs. (Image via Football Benchmark)

European football values continue to rise

According to the report, the combined value of the top 32 clubs has surged 176% since the ranking's first edition in 2016, driven by sustained revenue growth across European football.

Broadcasting revenue emerged as a key growth driver in 2026, supported by UEFA's revamped Champions League format and the expanding FIFA Club World Cup. Matchday and commercial revenues also posted double-digit gains, while clubs improved cost discipline through lower staff-cost-to-revenue ratios.

After securing a fourth consecutive Super Lig title, Galatasaray qualified for the UEFA Champions League group stage for the third time in four seasons. The club also reached the round of 16 this season and secured another spot in Europe's top club competition with its latest league triumph, boosting its revenue prospects.

The report also noted a widening gap between Europe's biggest clubs and the rest of the market, with the top teams continuing to command significantly higher valuation multiples than clubs in the lower half of the ranking.

May 30, 2026 03:06 AM GMT+03:00
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