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The Big Five refers to the association football markets of England, Germany, Spain, Italy and France. As of 2024[update], they are the five European leaders in size and popularity of the main domestic football leagues – the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 respectively in men's football, and the Women's Super League, Frauen-Bundesliga, Liga F, Serie A, and Première Ligue respectively in women's football.
Ace Advisory Zrt., a Hungarian private company in the field of data-driven sports and leisure business consultancy,[1] with services as the Football Benchmark data & analytics platform,[2] ranks Europe's 32 most prominent football clubs by their Enterprise Value (EV) since 2016. In these ranking for 2023, the number of clubs from the Big Five leagues hit a record high of 29, making up 97% of the top 32's total aggregate EV, which further highlights their financial strength.[3] The Premier League, often considered the most competitive and financially lucrative league, generates billions in revenue annually and boasts a worldwide audience.[3] Similarly, Germany's Bundesliga is celebrated for its high attendance rates and fan engagement.[4][5][6] La Liga in Spain is the home to global giants like FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, the most valuable and successful club worldwide, including domestic, European and international club competitions.[3][7] Italy's Serie A, known for its tactical sophistication, has a rich history of European and world champions.[8] France's Ligue 1, while often seen as the underdog comparing to the other Big Five leagues, regarding enterprise value and winning European and international titles, continues to produce world-class talent and is home to Paris Saint-Germain, a club with significant international influence.[3][9]
In women's football, these leagues have been pivotal in increasing the sport's visibility and professional standards. The Women's Super League in England and Frauen-Bundesliga in Germany are among the top destinations for elite female footballers, contributing significantly to the growth of the sport.[10] Spain's Liga F, Italy's Serie A, and France's Division 1 Feminine have made substantial strides in professionalizing women's football and drawing in larger audiences and sponsorships.[11]
- ^ "Ace Advisory Company". aceadvisory.eu. Ace Advisory Zrt. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "Football Benchmark - Home of football business data". footballbenchmark.com. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Football Clubs' Valuation: The European Elite 2023" (PDF). footballbenchmark.com. Football Benchmark. 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "Average attendance of the Big Five soccer leagues in Europe from 2013/14 to 2022/23, by league". statista.com. Statista. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "How the Bundesliga got the best fans in the world in its 60 years". bundesliga.com. Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL). 6 May 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "German fan culture: The secrets behind Bundesliga's famously passionate support". Goal.com. 11 May 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "The World's Most Valuable Soccer Teams 2024". Forbes. 23 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "Serie A: How Does It Compare to the Rest of Europe?". getfootballnewsitaly.com. Get Football Group. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "Why France's Ligue 1 Has Dropped Out Of UEFA's Top Five Leagues". Forbes. 4 July 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "How much are Women's Super League teams worth? - The Athletic". The New York Times. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "How much are Women's Super League teams worth?". twocircles.com. Two Circles. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.