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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.
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With the release of a dynamic promotional video starring its ambassador, Simon Msuva, LEONBET continues a new chapter in its partnership with the Tanzanian national team forward.
Filmed in Tanzania, the campaign captures the energy of local football culture and highlights Msuva’s personality both on and off the pitch. One of the key moments of the video features the famous “Msuva Flip”- the player’s signature goal celebration, a backflip that fans immediately recognise whenever he scores.
The video is fast-paced and vibrant, reflecting the passion of Tanzanian football fans.The campaign also features Baraka Mpenja, a well-known sports commentator and voice of Tanzanian football, who brings additional authenticity and connection to the local audience.
Simon Msuva is known not only for his performances on the field but also for his strong charisma. According to the production team, he quickly immersed himself in the filming process and brought the same vibrant energy and character that fans associate with his game.
During the recent season, Msuva has scored several memorable goals that drew attention from fans and sports media alike. That excitement and emotion became the foundation for the new campaign.
“This campaign is part of our broader strategy to get closer to sports fans and build a stronger emotional connection with our audience. Working with talents like Simon Msuva allows us to speak the same language as the fans and be present where their passion is.” said Jérôme J. D., Regional Director of Operations.
The video continues the collaboration between LEONBET and Tanzanian national team captain Simon Msuva and supports the brand’s ongoing engagement with football fans in Tanzania.
The post LEONBET Shares a New Campaign with Tanzanian Ambassador Simon Msuva appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
BetConstruct AI, a global iGaming platform provider, will present its full ecosystem at Stand N150 during SiGMA South America 2026, taking place from April 7–9 in São Paulo, Brazil.
With South America rapidly emerging as one of the most dynamic iGaming regions, BetConstruct AI is positioning itself as a key partner for operators looking to scale efficiently and competitively. The company delivers a vast offering, including over 140,000 pre-match events, 90,000+ live matches monthly, and 45,000+ casino games from 350+ providers.
One Platform, Multiple Growth Drivers
Visitors to Stand N150 will experience live demos across six core solution areas:
Acquisition, Content & Entertainment
A comprehensive offering spanning sportsbook, casino aggregation, affiliate marketing through Affigates, and six flexible front-end solutions, including crypto-ready platforms.
Payments & Licensing
With 500+ payment integrations and a fully managed licensing service, BetConstruct AI enables operators to enter regulated South American markets with confidence and compliance.
Retention & CRM
AI-powered CRM tools predict churn up to 14 days in advance, identify high-value players early, and automate personalized engagement across multiple channels. A game recommendation engine further enhances player activity and revenue potential.
Risk Management
The Umbrella AI system combines sportsbook and casino risk, AML, and responsible gaming into a unified solution. Advanced tools detect fraudulent behavior early and forecast negative-value players well in advance.
Operational Services
End-to-end support includes licensing, digital marketing, CRM management, trading, risk control, and infrastructure protection.
BetConstruct AI Poker
A flexible B2B poker network offering turnkey, white-label, or API integration, supported by strong liquidity, built-in security, and Web3-ready infrastructure.
World Cup-Focused Engagement Tools
To help operators maximize opportunities around the 2026 World Cup, BetConstruct AI is introducing two zero-cost promotional solutions:
Powerfull (Pre-Tournament Campaign)
A challenge-based campaign running before kickoff, rewarding players with Free Bets that accumulate and activate during the tournament—driving engagement, reactivation, and cross-product activity.
Bet on League (In-Tournament Hub)
A fully integrated World Cup hub featuring standings, schedules, and interactive tools that convert fan engagement into betting activity. It includes AI-powered bet suggestions and requires no additional development or fees.
Beyond the Expo
In addition to the exhibition, BetConstruct AI will host an exclusive Harmony ChoiceMe event on April 7 at Tetto Lounge in São Paulo, offering industry leaders a premium networking environment.
As the South American market accelerates, BetConstruct AI invites operators to visit Stand N150 to explore how its platform, tools, and expertise can drive the next phase of growth.
The post BetConstruct AI Showcases Full Platform at SiGMA South America 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
With the release of a dynamic promotional video starring its ambassador, Simon Msuva, LEONBET continues a new chapter in its partnership with the Tanzanian national team forward.
Filmed in Tanzania, the campaign captures the energy of local football culture and highlights Msuva’s personality both on and off the pitch. One of the key moments of the video features the famous “Msuva Flip”- the player’s signature goal celebration, a backflip that fans immediately recognise whenever he scores.
The video is fast-paced and vibrant, reflecting the passion of Tanzanian football fans.The campaign also features Baraka Mpenja, a well-known sports commentator and voice of Tanzanian football, who brings additional authenticity and connection to the local audience.
Simon Msuva is known not only for his performances on the field but also for his strong charisma. According to the production team, he quickly immersed himself in the filming process and brought the same vibrant energy and character that fans associate with his game.
During the recent season, Msuva has scored several memorable goals that drew attention from fans and sports media alike. That excitement and emotion became the foundation for the new campaign.
“This campaign is part of our broader strategy to get closer to sports fans and build a stronger emotional connection with our audience. Working with talents like Simon Msuva allows us to speak the same language as the fans and be present where their passion is.” said Jérôme J. D., Regional Director of Operations.
The video continues the collaboration between LEONBET and Tanzanian national team captain Simon Msuva and supports the brand’s ongoing engagement with football fans in Tanzania.
The post LEONBET Shares a New Campaign with Tanzanian Ambassador Simon Msuva appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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