MANCHESTER: Manchester City lead Deloitte’s Football Money League for the second consecutive year with the English Premier League dominating the top 20 clubs for the first time.

The total revenue from the top 20 clubs is close to the pre-pandemic value of 9.2 billion euros for the 2021-22 season.

The increase was largely through a 1.3 billion euro jump in matchday revenue after two seasons affected by pandemic disruptions.

The Premier League’s increased revenue in broadcast rights sales and strong commercial growth saw 11 of England’s top flight clubs fill the top 20 for the first time.

Leeds and Newcastle replaced Wolves and Zenit St Petersburg from last season’s top 20 list.

A 13 percent increase in City’s income to 731 million euros saw them maintain their top position over European champions Real Madrid who collected 714 million euros.

Liverpool are third, their highest finish in Money League history and overcame Manchester United for the first time, following their triumphant run to the European Champions League final, at 702 million euros.

United are fourth (689 million euros), followed by Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich (each at 654 million euros).

Barcelona, ​​who topped the Money League two years ago, slipped to seventh place after being knocked out of the European Champions League at the group stage and suffering a decline in commercial value compared to its rivals.

Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal complete the top 10.

“The financial dominance of the English Premier League will be difficult to challenge for the coming seasons. It is not impossible that one day all 20 English Premier League clubs will be in the top 30 of the Money League,” said Deloitte Sports Business Group director, Sam Boor.