IN 2024-25, Manchester City, by their exceedingly high standards, had a mediocre season – no major trophies for only the second time in 10 years and the first potless campaign since 2016-17, Pep Guardiola’s inaugural year at the club. This had an impact on the club’s finances for 2024-25, notably with their first pre-tax loss since 2020 of £ 9.9 million. This obviously is only a very minor blip for a club of City’s size, whose revenues were marginally down (-3%) to £ 694 million, a reflection of a season in which City finished third in the Premier and were beaten in the FA Cup final by Crystal Palace. However, their revenues represented the third highest total for a season in their history.
All major revenue streams were down, with broadcasting income dropping by 5% to £ 278.5 million, commercial falling by 1% to £ 340.4 million and matchday down by 1% to £ 75 million. The top revenue generator for City is currently the commercial department, which earned the club £ 340.4 million. The club attracted 11 new partnerships, adding to already productive deals with the likes of Etihad (worth some £ 80 million per annum) and Puma (£ 100 million) as well as their arrangement with Crypto exchange OKX. City’s prowess has made them the most prolific club among their peer group for commercial activity. City have the top football club brand in the Premier League according to Brand Finance with a value of € 1.44 billion.
Their matchday income has some serious upside, with their £ 75 million around half of Manchester United’s and the lowest among the so-called “big six”. Even Chelsea, with their sub-40,000 capacity, earned more in 2024. City’s average attendance in 2024-25 was 52,517 – which represented 99.7% of stadium occupancy. The club aims to expand the Etihad to 60,000 as part of a £ 300 million redevelopment programme that will deliver multiple benefits. Jibes about empty seats seem a little like wishful thinking on the part of rival fans.
City’s broadcasting revenues totalled £ 278.5 million, obviously affected by a less successful season at home and in Europe. This was partly offset by monies received from the FIFA Club World Cup last summer.
City’s wage bill, totalling £ 408 million, was probably the highest in the Premier League in 2024-25. The club’s wage-to-income ratio has been very consistent in recent years and was slightly up to 59%. The club’s squad has a value of around € 1.2 billion by Transfermarkt with Erling Haaland the highest-valued at € 200 million.
The club continues to make good profits on player sales in the market. In 2024-25, they made £ 95.2 million and over the past decade, profits have totalled £ 700 million-plus. City spent over £ 350 million on players, including £ 50 million on Porto’s Nico González, £ 46 million on Tijani Reijnders of Milan and £ 34 million on Lens defender Abdukodir Khusaniov.
Of course, the 800 pound gorilla in the room remains City’s 115 charges. The latest news suggests that the final verdict on these alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules is now unlikely to be delivered before the end of the season. And so it goes on.
Game of the People was founded in 2012 and is ranked among the 100 best football websites by various sources. The site consistently wins awards for its work, across a broad range of subjects. [View all posts by Neil Fredrik Jensen](https://gameofthepeople.com/author/georgefjord/)