Abu Dhabi-owned Man City reports robust profits

Image: Manchester City FC

Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City FC reported a second successive year of robust revenues and profits, accompanied by growth across all areas of the club.

The club made football history as it became only the second English club to win three trophies in one season – a treble – the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League for the 2022-23 season.

Based on its annual report for 2022-23, the club reported revenues of  GBP712.8m, an increase of GBP99.8m on the previous 12 months, and profits of GBP80.4m – nearly double that of the previous year’s record of GBP41.7m in its annual report for 2022-23.

The club’s three main income streams — commercial, broadcast, and matchday — all showed year-on-year growth.

Manchester City FC: Key highlights

• The club was named the most valuable football club brand in the world, topping the 2023 Brand Finance Football 50 report for the first time ever with a brand value of EUR1.51bn.
• The men’s team secured a place in football history by winning the first UEFA Champions League, a third successive Premier League title – a fifth in six years – and a seventh FA Cup, in a season that yielded a win percentage in excess of 72 per cent in all competitions, and a string of individual accolades for the men’s players.
• There was an increase in the average attendance for all women’s football games and a new best-for-season ticket sales.
• At the youth team level, new records were set as the EDS and U18s won their respective league titles for the third year with titles also secured down to the U9s level.
• A total of 6.9 billion video views were recorded on the club’s main social media accounts – an increase of 107 per cent on the previous year, the number of Official Cityzens Members almost doubled, and membership of the Official Supporters Club grew by 33 per cent.
• Alongside social media and membership growth another best-ever year for TV viewing figures was recorded, with the club’s total audience reaching 786 million across all competitions – 28 per cent higher than the 2021-22 season.

‘How do you top that?’

Manchester City FC chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “In short, last season saw Manchester City achieve the greatest football and commercial year of its storied history. “In the aftermath of the UEFA Champions League win in Turkey and the completion of ‘The Treble’ the question I was asked most often, was ‘How do you top that?’

“The answer is by doubling down on the proven philosophies and practices that have brought us this success and challenging ourselves to continue to constantly innovate to achieve new levels of performance both on and off the field. We will not be afraid to set new goals and develop new strategies that deliver for our club, its communities and stakeholders, and especially for the fans.

“Success today simply means further investment for tomorrow. Our financial health and on-field success mean everyone connected to Manchester City can look forward to the future with excitement. Our collective achievements give me huge confidence that together we can accomplish even more in the years to come.”

Club CEO Ferran Soriano added: “Winning the Treble – the Champions League (for the first time), the Premier League (the third title in a row) and the FA Cup. Achieving record revenues and record profits.

“Winning the Ballon d’Or for best Men’s Club of the Year and being named the most valuable football club brand in the world. We can certainly say that the 2022-23 season was the best in the history of Manchester City.

“Dreams became a reality thanks to the amazing players and coaches we have, led by Pep Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain, but also thanks to a lot of people working very hard, and for a long period. Consistent results have been obtained thanks to more than a decade of intense work by everyone at Manchester City.”