The Premier League's growth rate was overshadowed by global rivals last year, as American leagues continue to dominate revenue generation in sports. According to Two Circles' Sports IP Revenue League, the Premier League generated $5.3 billion in new revenue, representing a 10-year compound annual growth rate of 5%. However, this was only enough for fourth place in the ranking.
Top Revenue Generators
The NFL tops the 50-team and organization table with $14.9 billion and 7% growth, followed by the NBA ($8.1 billion) and the Hong Kong Jockey Club ($6.4 billion). The Premier League remains the most lucrative football property, ahead of UEFA in fifth, FIFA in 13th, and LaLiga in 14th. Interestingly, the top 10 features three horse-related bodies: the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Churchill Downs (host of the Kentucky Derby), and the US Polo Association. Combat sport organization TKO, Formula 1, and the PGA Tour also make up the top 10.
Industry Growth Context
"Sport is one of the great success stories of the modern economy," said Two Circles co-founder Gareth Balch. "In 2025, Sports IP Owners collected $174 billion in revenue—another record and one that extends a decade of growth that has consistently outpaced global GDP. Since 2015, the industry has expanded at a compound annual rate of 6%, almost twice the rate of the broader global economy over the same period. That is not a cyclical tailwind. That is structural."
Real Madrid are the highest-ranked individual team from any sport, with Barcelona one place behind in 23rd and one spot ahead of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. When aggregated league revenue (central and team revenues combined) is considered, the Premier League was overtaken by MLB, although England's top flight is still four times as valuable as the Indian Premier League.
"What the Sports IP Revenue League makes clear is that the opportunity is broad," Balch added. "Growth is evident right across the ecosystem, from the largest leagues and federations to emerging properties finding new audiences in new markets."
