Latest News
Real Madrid and Barcelona neck-and-neck as world’s most valuable football brands in the face of COVID-19
- Real Madrid remain world’s most valuable football brand, but Barcelona narrow the gap to just €6 million
- COVID-19 causes total brand value of top 50 clubs to decrease for the first time in 6 years – €751 million or 3.7% is knocked off
- English clubs dominate the ranking with six brands in top 10 and 19 in top 50
- Liverpool inches two spots up into 4th place, following historic Premier League win
- Bundesliga’s 1. FC Köln is this year’s fastest-growing brand, followed by Leicester City and RB Leipzig – all recording over 40% growth
- Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium takes top spot in Buro Happold’s Venue Performance Rating
Real Madrid remain the most valuable football club brand in the world for 2020, according to the latest edition of the Brand Finance Football Annual. Boosted by winning the LaLiga title for the first time since 2017, the club retained its position at the top of the table in the football industry, but against a backdrop of economic and social disruption, caused primarily by the COVID-19 pandemic, Real Madrid’s brand value has declined by 14% to €1,419 million.
Real Madrid’s disappointing on-pitch performance prior to 2019-20, which saw an earlier-than-normal exit from the UEFA Champions League in 2018-19 and a second successive season adrift of LaLiga champions Barcelona, eroded the club’s dominance of the Brand Finance ranking. The situation was exacerbated by COVID-19, along with a lack of stability around the management of the team. Barcelona, Real’s fierce rivals, are just €6 million behind Real with a brand value of €1,413 million, supported by strong and diverse revenue generation and continued domestic performance in Spain.
COVID-19 knocks off €751 million of brand value
Real Madrid is not the only club to see a drop in brand value this year. COVID-19 has caused the total value of the top 50 football brands to decrease for the first time in 6 years. Through its effect on the three main revenue streams – Matchday, Broadcasting, and Commercial – €751 million or 3.7% has been knocked off the cumulative brand value of the world’s top 50 most valuable football clubs.
The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged professional football worldwide and across all levels. Matchday income for the 501 games remaining in the big 5 leagues dropped to zero, but it is often the smaller clubs and leagues which are more reliant on this revenue stream – in Scotland it makes up 43% of total revenue, compared to only 13% in England.
There have been some positive signs, as Southampton vs Manchester City on BBC broke the Premier League TV audience record with 5.7 million viewers, but the longer-term damage to the game’s economic structure has yet to be revealed.
Richard Haigh, Managing Director of Brand Finance, commented:
“Top-level football has been confronted with the largest existential threat since the Second World War. Loss of income, coupled with health concerns about mass gatherings, have raised question marks about the future of the industry and the financial resilience of clubs across all levels. The full damage of the COVID-19 crisis has yet to unfold and it is not inconceivable there will be casualties in the form of club bankruptcies and changes in ownership.”
Despite the huge implications of COVID-19 for football clubs and their financial results, the majority of the brand value is secured by the clubs’ long-term future – provided they can survive the initial shock. For example, only 21% of Real Madrid’s brand value is delivered by the next five years’ financial results.
Premier power
Real Madrid and Barcelona are followed by a cluster of English Premier League clubs in the Brand Finance Football Annual 2020 ranking, with Manchester United in 3rd position after their brand value fell by 11% to €1,314 million. Liverpool, who won their first league title since 1990 in runaway style, are in 4th spot jumping above Manchester City in terms of brand value, rising from €1,191 million in 2019 to €1,262 million, a 6% increase. Chelsea dropped one place in the table to 8th after their value fell for the fourth consecutive year to €949 million. This was arguably due to the club being absent from the UEFA Champions League and also suffering a transfer ban after being charged with breaking Financial Fair Play Regulations.
Powered by WPeMatico
AC Milan
Boomerang Partners delivers TIME TO WIN main prize with Milanello experience
Boomerang Partners, an Official Regional Partner of AC Milan, has delivered the main prize of its completed TIME TO WIN affiliate tournament. It ran from February 12 to March 31, 2026, with 57 affiliate teams taking part. Two winning teams travelled to Milan for a three-day programme built around the Club. The winners attended AC Milan v Juventus at San Siro Stadium, visited Casa Milan and the Mondo Milan Museum, and completed the trip with an exclusive visit to Milanello Sports Centre powered by Clivet.
Matchday at San Siro opened the three-day programme


The programme began on April 26 with AC Milan v Juventus at San Siro Stadium. The winning teams arrived at the stadium ahead of kick-off and were met by an AC Milan representative, who guided the group through the matchday process.
Before the match, the guests were taken to the pitchside area to watch the teams warming up. The partners had time to take photos and videos from close to the field. After the warm-up, they watched the match from their seats and experienced the atmosphere of one of the key fixtures of the Serie A calendar. The group also had access to the hospitality lounge with food and drinks before and during the match.
Inside Casa Milan: history, trophies, and hospitality

On April 27, the programme continued at Casa Milan, where the group joined a guided Mondo Milan Museum tour in English. The tour covered AC Milan’s history, trophies, and key achievements, giving partners more context after the matchday experience at San Siro Stadium.
After the Mondo Milan Museum tour, the winners had time to visit the Casa Milan Store. The hospitality part of the day continued with snacks and drinks arranged for the group. The partners also received AC Milan shirts, which became a pleasant surprise during the visit.
The final day brought winners to Milanello


On April 28, the winners visited Milanello Sports Centre powered by Clivet, AC Milan’s legendary training base. The group was welcomed in the hospitality area before starting a tour of the facility, including the training fields and facilities used by the team.
Daniele Massaro, Club Ambassador and former AC Milan player, also joined the group at Milanello. He spoke with the guests and signed autographs. After the tour, the partners watched the team training session and joined an autograph session with the players. They also had time to speak with them, take photos, and have AC Milan shirts signed.
For the winning teams, Milanello was the strongest part of the programme. It gave them access to a setting usually closed to the public and direct contact with the Club, its players, and its training environment.
Liliia Sudachenko, Affiliate Team Lead at Boomerang Partners, who joined the winners during the trip, commented: “The trip went very well, and the feedback from partners was extremely positive. The programme was rich and very well organized, but balanced enough for everyone to enjoy all three days in Milan without feeling exhausted. The strongest emotions came from the pitchside access before AC Milan v Juventus, the warm-up at San Siro, the visit to Milanello, and the opportunity to meet the players, take photos, and get autographs. For us, the main result was stronger relationships with partners and a higher level of trust in Boomerang Partners. Everyone genuinely enjoyed the time in Milan, and for us that reaction was the best confirmation of the value of this prize.”
From TIME TO WIN to Golden Boomerang Awards 2026
Following the TIME TO WIN activation, Boomerang Partners continues its affiliate tournament series with Golden Boomerang Awards 2026. On April 3, the company launched the third season of its annual tournament for affiliate teams.
The 2026 season runs under the “Beyond the Moment” concept and includes exclusive sports experiences such as the trip to the Wimbledon Championships, the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monza, and an exclusive dinner with an AC Milan Legend. The final ceremony will take place in Lisbon during the SBC Summit.
Further details on participation in the Golden Boomerang Awards 2026 are available on the official GBA 2026 website.
About Boomerang
Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global marketing agency offering a wide range of services. Boomerang Partners is an Official Regional Partner of AC Milan. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards – a global tournament for affiliate teams. More than 400 affiliate teams participated in the second season of the tournament in 2025. Partners of the Agency launched six new products in 2024-2025, contributing to a nearly 1.5-fold increase in product users.
The Agency’s clients’ portfolio contains 10+ brands offering affiliate and entertainment services across 40+ markets in compliance with local regulations. These products provide incentive programs and 24/7 multilingual support.
The post Boomerang Partners delivers TIME TO WIN main prize with Milanello experience appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Latest News
Boomerang Partners delivers TIME TO WIN main prize with Milanello experience
Boomerang Partners, an Official Regional Partner of AC Milan, has delivered the main prize of its completed TIME TO WIN affiliate tournament. It ran from February 12 to March 31, 2026, with 57 affiliate teams taking part. Two winning teams travelled to Milan for a three-day programme built around the Club. The winners attended AC Milan v Juventus at San Siro Stadium, visited Casa Milan and the Mondo Milan Museum, and completed the trip with an exclusive visit to Milanello Sports Centre powered by Clivet.
Matchday at San Siro opened the three-day programme


The programme began on April 26 with AC Milan v Juventus at San Siro Stadium. The winning teams arrived at the stadium ahead of kick-off and were met by an AC Milan representative, who guided the group through the matchday process.
Before the match, the guests were taken to the pitchside area to watch the teams warming up. The partners had time to take photos and videos from close to the field. After the warm-up, they watched the match from their seats and experienced the atmosphere of one of the key fixtures of the Serie A calendar. The group also had access to the hospitality lounge with food and drinks before and during the match.
Inside Casa Milan: history, trophies, and hospitality

On April 27, the programme continued at Casa Milan, where the group joined a guided Mondo Milan Museum tour in English. The tour covered AC Milan’s history, trophies, and key achievements, giving partners more context after the matchday experience at San Siro Stadium.
After the Mondo Milan Museum tour, the winners had time to visit the Casa Milan Store. The hospitality part of the day continued with snacks and drinks arranged for the group. The partners also received AC Milan shirts, which became a pleasant surprise during the visit.
The final day brought winners to Milanello


On April 28, the winners visited Milanello Sports Centre powered by Clivet, AC Milan’s legendary training base. The group was welcomed in the hospitality area before starting a tour of the facility, including the training fields and facilities used by the team.
Daniele Massaro, Club Ambassador and former AC Milan player, also joined the group at Milanello. He spoke with the guests and signed autographs. After the tour, the partners watched the team training session and joined an autograph session with the players. They also had time to speak with them, take photos, and have AC Milan shirts signed.
For the winning teams, Milanello was the strongest part of the programme. It gave them access to a setting usually closed to the public and direct contact with the Club, its players, and its training environment.
Liliia Sudachenko, Affiliate Team Lead at Boomerang Partners, who joined the winners during the trip, commented: “The trip went very well, and the feedback from partners was extremely positive. The programme was rich and very well organized, but balanced enough for everyone to enjoy all three days in Milan without feeling exhausted. The strongest emotions came from the pitchside access before AC Milan v Juventus, the warm-up at San Siro, the visit to Milanello, and the opportunity to meet the players, take photos, and get autographs. For us, the main result was stronger relationships with partners and a higher level of trust in Boomerang Partners. Everyone genuinely enjoyed the time in Milan, and for us that reaction was the best confirmation of the value of this prize.”
From TIME TO WIN to Golden Boomerang Awards 2026
Following the TIME TO WIN activation, Boomerang Partners continues its affiliate tournament series with Golden Boomerang Awards 2026. On April 3, the company launched the third season of its annual tournament for affiliate teams.
The 2026 season runs under the “Beyond the Moment” concept and includes exclusive sports experiences such as the trip to the Wimbledon Championships, the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monza, and an exclusive dinner with an AC Milan Legend. The final ceremony will take place in Lisbon during the SBC Summit.
Further details on participation in the Golden Boomerang Awards 2026 are available on the official GBA 2026 website.
About Boomerang
Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global marketing agency offering a wide range of services. Boomerang Partners is an Official Regional Partner of AC Milan. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards – a global tournament for affiliate teams. More than 400 affiliate teams participated in the second season of the tournament in 2025. Partners of the Agency launched six new products in 2024-2025, contributing to a nearly 1.5-fold increase in product users.
The Agency’s clients’ portfolio contains 10+ brands offering affiliate and entertainment services across 40+ markets in compliance with local regulations. These products provide incentive programs and 24/7 multilingual support.
Founder and CEO SCCG Management
SCCG LATAM to Host First International Gaming and iGaming Conference in Venezuela, Caracas, August 12-14, 2026
Three-day conference will convene Venezuela’s gaming regulators, leading operators, banking partners, and international providers for the first time.
“The Venezuela Gaming Expo is a defining moment for Latin American gaming. For the first time, international operators, providers, and investors will have a structured venue to engage directly with the regulators and operators shaping one of the region’s largest underexplored markets.” — Stephen Crystal, Founder and CEO, SCCG Management
SCCG Management, a leading advisory firm in the global gaming industry, today announced the inaugural Venezuela Gaming Expo, the first international gaming and iGaming conference to be held in Venezuela. Organized by SCCG LATAM, the three-day conference will take place at the Eurobuilding Hotel & Suites Caracas from August 12 to 14, 2026.
The Expo brings together Venezuela’s gaming regulators, leading domestic operators, banking and payments partners, international providers, and investors for what will be the country’s first dedicated international gaming convening. Pre-registration is open now for operators, suppliers, banking and payments firms, investors, regulators, and media seeking early access to programming and direct introductions to the Venezuelan operating community.
Venezuela is one of Latin America’s largest gaming markets and one of the least understood by international operators. The country has a population of nearly 29 million, high mobile and internet penetration, and a functioning regulated industry. Three license-emitting bodies govern the market: the Comisión Nacional de Casinos, Salas de Bingo y Máquinas Traganíqueles (CNC), the Comisión Nacional de Lotería (CONALOT), and the Superintendencia Nacional de Actividades Hípicas (SUNAHIP). The Instituto Nacional de Hipódromos (INH) operates national horse racing and sports betting infrastructure under SUNAHIP’s regulatory umbrella. Thirty-two licensed online operators are currently active, with the top five generating over USD 150 million in gross gaming revenue annually. SCCG LATAM has published a detailed primer on the Venezuelan gaming market covering the country’s regulatory framework, market dynamics, and banking infrastructure.
In April 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued General License 57, authorizing U.S. financial institutions to provide a broad range of financial services to four named Venezuelan state banks. The licence marks the first time in years that payment infrastructure between U.S. and Venezuelan financial institutions has been on a clear legal footing, lowering one of the most cited structural barriers to international engagement with the Venezuelan gaming sector.
The Expo programme is built around three integrated pillars. A conference programme curated by operators for operators will cover market entry, regulatory navigation, payments and banking infrastructure, and cross-border distribution, with keynote speakers including Venezuelan government officials and industry leaders. A networking layer integrates hosted dinners and curated engagement with the Caracas gaming community. A dedicated business meetings room facilitates private introductions between operators, providers, banking partners, and investors. The format is designed for outcome over spectacle, with approximately 3,000 attendees and 60 exhibitor tables.
The Eurobuilding Hotel & Suites Caracas sits in Chuao, near the city’s financial district, with full conference facilities and on-site accommodations that allow the programme, networking, and business meetings to flow within a single venue.
“The Venezuela Gaming Expo is a defining moment for Latin American gaming,” said Stephen Crystal, Founder and CEO of SCCG Management. “For the first time, international operators, providers, and investors will have a structured venue to engage directly with the regulators and operators shaping one of the region’s largest underexplored markets. With the recent opening of U.S. banking channels through General License 57, the timing is right to convene the global industry in Caracas and translate market interest into commercial activity. SCCG LATAM is built to deliver that bridge.”
The Expo is part of SCCG LATAM’s broader regional strategy following the launch of its dedicated Latin American division and Miami office earlier this year. SCCG works directly with Venezuela’s three license-emitting bodies and with established Venezuelan operators, positioning international participants for compliant market entry and partnership.
Pre-registration, sponsorship inquiries, and exhibitor inquiries can be submitted at sccgmanagement.com/sccg-articles/2026/05/10/venezuela-gaming-expo-2026-save-the-date. A SCCG LATAM team member will follow up within 48 hours of each submission.
The post SCCG LATAM to Host First International Gaming and iGaming Conference in Venezuela, Caracas, August 12-14, 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
-
iGaming industry6 days agoPragmatic Play Releases its Latest Slot Game “The Big Dog House”
-
Aphrodite Legends of Olympus™6 days agoInspired Expands Portfolio with Three New iGaming Slots: THE GREAT EGGSCAPE™, APHRODITE LEGENDS OF OLYMPUS™, GOLD FEVER MINE ALL MINE™
-
betting market6 days agoBiS Brasília brings together experts and authorities to discuss the future of Brazil’s betting market
-
AGLC6 days agoAlberta iGaming Corporation Appoints Dan Keene as its CEO
-
BetGames6 days agoWeekend Reels | Week 21: Slot Drops & Trends
-
40 Coins of Chance6 days agoSYNOT Games Enters into a New Partnership with Topwin
-
Alberta6 days agoPlay’n GO secures Alberta iGaming supplier licence from AGLC
-
Alberta6 days agoPlay’n GO granted Alberta iGaming licence, expanding Canadian market footprint



