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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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Asia
BMM Testlabs to Exhibit at SiGMA Asia Summit 2026
BMM Testlabs announced its participation in the SiGMA Asia Summit May 31-June 3 at the SMX Convention Center Manila.
Attendees can visit BMM Testlabs at Stand No. 2619 to learn how the Company supports suppliers, operators and regulators across regulated gaming markets worldwide through its comprehensive compliance and product certification services.
BMM will highlight its ability to test and certify gaming products to every regulator’s standard, anywhere in the world.
In the Philippines, BMM Testlabs is licensed to provide testing and certification services for slot machines, table games, electronic table games, iGaming, bingo, retail and online sports betting, poker and mobile gaming solutions.
BMM Testlabs’ Vice President, Business Development – Asia Jeffrey Fong said: “SiGMA Asia Summit continues to be an important event for the gaming industry across the Asia-Pacific region. We are proud to support suppliers, operators, and regulators with trusted compliance expertise that helps bring products to market efficiently and responsibly. Our global experience, combined with our strong regional knowledge, allows us to help our customers grow confidently in regulated gaming markets throughout Asia and beyond.”
BMM Testlabs continues to expand its support of regulated gaming markets worldwide through its global network of laboratories and technical experts, helping customers achieve faster market access while maintaining the highest standards of quality, security and regulatory compliance.
The post BMM Testlabs to Exhibit at SiGMA Asia Summit 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Amusnet
Amusnet Hosts Second Charity Run to Empower Bulgarian Athletes
For a second consecutive year, Amusnet united employees, families, friends and sports enthusiasts around a meaningful cause through the Amusnet Charity Run. It is a corporate initiative combining active lifestyles, teamwork and social impact. The event was initiated by Konstantin Ivanov, Director, Engineering Casino at Amusnet, and has quickly become a growing tradition within the company.
This year’s edition attracted nearly 200 participants, including representatives from almost every division across the organisation, with especially strong involvement from the technical, product, compliance and production teams. Employees took part alongside family members and friends, turning the event into a celebration of community spirit and shared values.
The initiative aims to support athletes from the National Paralympic Organisation in their preparation for upcoming national and international competitions. For every kilometre completed, Amusnet donated funds to the Organisation in support of the athletes and their future participation in competitions, reflecting the idea that sport unites people, builds resilience and drives positive change.
Participants collectively covered an impressive 960 kilometres, and the atmosphere throughout the event reflected strong engagement and enthusiasm across all levels of the company, from employees and specialists to division leads and management representatives. Many colleagues joined the initiative for a second consecutive year, further reinforcing the event’s importance within the company culture.
“This event is a sporting challenge for us, but also reflects the spirit of solidarity and responsibility shared across the company. Seeing so many colleagues and their families personally support this cause proves that when people unite around a meaningful mission, they can create real impact,” said Konstantin Ivanov, Director, Engineering Casino at Amusnet and initiator of the Charity Run.
Ilia Lalov, Chairman of the National Paralympic Federation, said: “Support like this is invaluable for our athletes. Beyond the financial contribution, initiatives such as the Amusnet Charity Run send a strong message of respect, inclusion, and encouragement to the entire Paralympic community. We are grateful to everyone who stood behind this cause.”
The post Amusnet Hosts Second Charity Run to Empower Bulgarian Athletes appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Amusnet Greece
Amusnet Goes Live with Superbet in Greece
Amusnet Greece has launched its portfolio on Superbet.gr, marking an important step in strengthening its presence in the Greek regulated market.
Through this partnership, the players can now enjoy a selection of Amusnet’s most popular and proven titles, known for their engaging gameplay, reliability and high-quality design. The rollout features 69 top-performing titles, providing a robust selection of content from day one.
The initial release for Greece includes world-renowned games such as Shining Crown and Shining Crown Buy Bonus, the 14 Golden Coins Link Jackpot titles and the popular “Hot” series featuring Super Hot, Power Hot and Burning Hot. These games offer players a balanced mix of classical mechanics and modern features, tailored to the local audience’s preferences.
“We are grateful to be part of Superbet’s entry into the Greek market and excited about the opportunities this partnership brings. With our strong local presence and proven performance in the market, we are confident we can support Superbet in building a competitive and engaging offering from day one,” said Jelena Stankovic, Director at Amusnet Greece.
“Partnering with Amusnet, a globally renowned provider with strong traction in the Greek market, marks another milestone in our ambitious growth journey, while elevating our commitment to delivering a next-level, immersive entertainment experience for our customers,” said Stathis Leontaritis, Casino Lead at Superbet Greece.
The launch further reinforces Amusnet’s commitment to expanding its footprint in key regulated markets while delivering tailored, high-quality content to local audiences through trusted partners like Superbet.
The post Amusnet Goes Live with Superbet in Greece appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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