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Real Madrid and Barcelona neck-and-neck as world’s most valuable football brands in the face of COVID-19

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Real Madrid and Barcelona neck-and-neck as world’s most valuable football brands in the face of COVID-19
Real Madrid and Barcelona neck-and-neck as world’s most valuable football brands in the face of COVID-19Reading Time: 3 minutes

 

  • Real Madrid remain world’s most valuable football brand, but Barcelona narrow the gap to just €6 million
  • COVID-19 causes total brand value of top 50 clubs to decrease for the first time in 6 years – €751 million or 3.7% is knocked off
  • English clubs dominate the ranking with six brands in top 10 and 19 in top 50
  • Liverpool inches two spots up into 4th place, following historic Premier League win
  • Bundesliga’s 1. FC Köln is this year’s fastest-growing brand, followed by Leicester City and RB Leipzig – all recording over 40% growth
  • Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium takes top spot in Buro Happold’s Venue Performance Rating

Real Madrid remain the most valuable football club brand in the world for 2020, according to the latest edition of the Brand Finance Football Annual. Boosted by winning the LaLiga title for the first time since 2017, the club retained its position at the top of the table in the football industry, but against a backdrop of economic and social disruption, caused primarily by the COVID-19 pandemic, Real Madrid’s brand value has declined by 14% to €1,419 million.

Real Madrid’s disappointing on-pitch performance prior to 2019-20, which saw an earlier-than-normal exit from the UEFA Champions League in 2018-19 and a second successive season adrift of LaLiga champions Barcelona, eroded the club’s dominance of the Brand Finance ranking. The situation was exacerbated by COVID-19, along with a lack of stability around the management of the team. Barcelona, Real’s fierce rivals, are just €6 million behind Real with a brand value of €1,413 million, supported by strong and diverse revenue generation and continued domestic performance in Spain.

COVID-19 knocks off €751 million of brand value

Real Madrid is not the only club to see a drop in brand value this year. COVID-19 has caused the total value of the top 50 football brands to decrease for the first time in 6 years. Through its effect on the three main revenue streams – Matchday, Broadcasting, and Commercial – €751 million or 3.7% has been knocked off the cumulative brand value of the world’s top 50 most valuable football clubs.

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged professional football worldwide and across all levels. Matchday income for the 501 games remaining in the big 5 leagues dropped to zero, but it is often the smaller clubs and leagues which are more reliant on this revenue stream – in Scotland it makes up 43% of total revenue, compared to only 13% in England.

There have been some positive signs, as Southampton vs Manchester City on BBC broke the Premier League TV audience record with 5.7 million viewers, but the longer-term damage to the game’s economic structure has yet to be revealed.

Richard Haigh, Managing Director of Brand Finance, commented:

“Top-level football has been confronted with the largest existential threat since the Second World War. Loss of income, coupled with health concerns about mass gatherings, have raised question marks about the future of the industry and the financial resilience of clubs across all levels. The full damage of the COVID-19 crisis has yet to unfold and it is not inconceivable there will be casualties in the form of club bankruptcies and changes in ownership.”

Despite the huge implications of COVID-19 for football clubs and their financial results, the majority of the brand value is secured by the clubs’ long-term future – provided they can survive the initial shock. For example, only 21% of Real Madrid’s brand value is delivered by the next five years’ financial results.

Premier power

Real Madrid and Barcelona are followed by a cluster of English Premier League clubs in the Brand Finance Football Annual 2020 ranking, with Manchester United in 3rd position after their brand value fell by 11% to €1,314 million. Liverpool, who won their first league title since 1990 in runaway style, are in 4th spot jumping above Manchester City in terms of brand value, rising from €1,191 million in 2019 to €1,262 million, a 6% increase. Chelsea dropped one place in the table to 8th after their value fell for the fourth consecutive year to €949 million. This was arguably due to the club being absent from the UEFA Champions League and also suffering a transfer ban after being charged with breaking Financial Fair Play Regulations.


Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Real Madrid and Barcelona neck-and-neck as world’s most valuable football brands in the face of COVID-19

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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LoopMe research: Increasing GenAI adoption paves the way for an explosion in mobile gaming ad potential

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New research from LoopMe, the global leader in brand performance, reveals that consumers are twice as likely to use GenAI for search (x2 in the US and x2.2 in the UK), while it’s nearly three times in Australia (x2.7).

As AI redefines online behaviour, and the enormous implications this has for brand visibility and advertising, the solution may lie in mobile gaming. While the adoption of AI tools is leading to a decline in clicks and associated site traffic, the story is different in gaming. This channel is on the rise, offering a scale that encompasses all demographics, alongside engaged and receptive audiences.

LoopMe surveyed 66,819 consumers across Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States to gauge GenAI usage. The data shows the majority are now using these tools daily or at least several times a week (US: 56%, UK: 55%, Australia: 57%). For those using tools daily, similar patterns emerge, with approximately three in ten adopters falling into this group (Australia: 27%, UK: 29%, US: 30%).

Nearly one-fifth of GenAI users across all three markets report spending less time browsing the web because of AI tools (US: 19%, UK: 20%, and Australia: 22%). Even among infrequent GenAI users, there’s a move away from traditional search, resulting in web browsing falling by 19%-50% across the markets. This shift isn’t limited to specific demographics but plays out across all age groups, indicating a move towards embracing AI and a corresponding reduction in browsing time to varying degrees.

Nearly a third of users (28% in the US and 30% in Australia and the UK) across all three countries cite ‘getting answers faster’ as the number one benefit of GenAI. This reduction in browsing time online is freeing them up for other pursuits. And one of these appears to be more time for gaming: In Australia, 18% cited that they are spending more time on mobile gaming, while in the US, it’s 19% and rising to 21% in the UK.

Again, this is a trend across all age groups and markets. While the greatest shift in the UK is seen among 18-24-year-olds, with 62% spending more time on mobile gaming rather than less, in the US it’s the 25-34-year-olds (40%). Meanwhile, for Australians, it’s the 35-44-year-old demographic (58%). However, growth is being experienced across all age bands, with all three countries seeing strong mobile gaming growth even among the 55–64-year-olds.

This growth can also be seen among infrequent GenAI users too. In the US, there is a 40% net difference between those casual GenAI users who spend more time gaming and those who spend less, rising to 55% in Australia and 71% in the UK.

When asked about streaming games, there is more preference among younger age groups. While there are country variations, the 18-24 and 25-34-year-old age groups are the heaviest users of streaming games, and these groups will likely drive its future potential.

“What the research highlights is the advertising opportunities opening for brands as gaming becomes a key route to market. This is a medium that’s being embraced by all age groups and all demographics. And it’s increasing among frequent AI users as well as more casual ones, offering brands the potential to get in front of audiences that other channels might not serve well,” commented Stephen Upstone, CEO & Founder at LoopMe.

“We’ve found that gamers are more than three times as likely to be receptive to advertising in this environment compared to the mobile web. And because audience value and the opportunities gaming offers are out of alignment with current advertising investment in the channel, this lack of competition only adds to its attractiveness. As digital advertising adjusts to this era of AI, mobile gaming is shedding its bit player role and moving centre stage, delivering scale and reach that competes with traditional broadcast channels.“

The post LoopMe research: Increasing GenAI adoption paves the way for an explosion in mobile gaming ad potential appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

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Boomerang Partners has been included in 3 prestigious industry Awards, which will be presented in January 2026

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Boomerang Partners, a global Affiliate Gambling & Betting Marketing Agency, starts 2026 with participation in the largest industry awards. The company has been included in the shortlists of several prestigious nominations, notably the International Gaming Awards (IGA), European iGaming Awards, and Global Gaming Awards EMEA. Winners will be announced during the iGB and ICE Barcelona 2026 exhibitions, which will take place from January 19 to 21. Boomerang Partners will participate in the event with its booth, 81-L10.

For Boomerang Partners, this marks a record number of nominations that the company has been included in. Here are the awards it’s competing for:

International Gaming Awards:

  • Affiliate Marketing Campaign of the Year
  • Charitable Community Award (Golden Boomerang Awards – Charity)

European iGaming Awards:

  • Charity Award (Golden Boomerang Awards – Charity)
  • Affiliate Company Of The Year
  • Best Live Event Marketing Campaign (Golden Boomerang Awards)

Global Gaming Awards – EMEA 2026:

  • Affiliate Program of the Year

What’s next

Boomerang Partners will celebrate its fifth anniversary in 2026. The company is approaching this date at the peak of its effectiveness. Its inclusion on shortlists of prestigious awards is a testament to its recognition in the market. Experts have noticed Boomerang’s successes and recognize the contribution the company makes to the industry’s development. It feels strong enough to win most awards and is focused on achieving new milestones on the path to becoming the best sports-focused affiliate program in the world.

Currently, Boomerang Partners has over 3,000 affiliate partners and 13+ brands in its client portfolio. The company is the Official Regional Partner of AC Milan, and the second year of collaboration began in the summer of 2025. In 2024 and 2025, it held a global annual tournament for affiliate teams, the Golden Boomerang Awards. In fall 2025, the Golden Boomerang League, its first sports traffic tournament, took place. Boomerang Partners regularly participates in industry events, showcasing its booth and receiving prestigious awards. Over four years, the company has won 10 awards, including in 2025:

  • ‘Unique Gaming Company of the Year’ at the International Gaming Awards 2025
  • ‘Social Media Campaign of the Year’ at the SBC Awards 2025
  • ‘Rising Star in Sports Betting’ (Operator) at the SBC Awards 2025

And Boomerang Partners affiliate team lead, Kristina Shkredova, won the award for Best Affiliate Manager AskGamblers 2025.

How many awards will Boomerang Partners win in January? – Follow the official website and social media of the company, so as not to miss anything.

About Boomerang

Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global marketing agency offering a wide range of services. Boomerang Partners is the Official Regional Partner of AC Milan. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards — a global tournament for affiliate teams. More than 400 affiliate teams participated in the second season of the tournament in 2025. The agency launched six new products in 2024-2025, contributing to a nearly 1.5-fold increase in product users.

The agency’s client portfolio contains 13+ brands offering affiliate and entertainment services across 40+ markets in compliance with local regulations. These products provide personalized bonuses and 24/7 multilingual support.

The post Boomerang Partners has been included in 3 prestigious industry Awards, which will be presented in January 2026 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Boomerang Partners has been included in 3 prestigious industry Awards, which will be presented in January 2026

Published

on

Boomerang Partners, a global Affiliate Gambling & Betting Marketing Agency, starts 2026 with participation in the largest industry awards. The company has been included in the shortlists of several prestigious nominations, notably the International Gaming Awards (IGA), European iGaming Awards, and Global Gaming Awards EMEA. Winners will be announced during the iGB and ICE Barcelona 2026 exhibitions, which will take place from January 19 to 21. Boomerang Partners will participate in the event with its booth, 81-L10.

For Boomerang Partners, this marks a record number of nominations that the company has been included in. Here are the awards it’s competing for:

International Gaming Awards:

  • Affiliate Marketing Campaign of the Year
  • Charitable Community Award (Golden Boomerang Awards – Charity)

European iGaming Awards:

  • Charity Award (Golden Boomerang Awards – Charity)
  • Affiliate Company Of The Year
  • Best Live Event Marketing Campaign (Golden Boomerang Awards)

Global Gaming Awards – EMEA 2026:

  • Affiliate Program of the Year

What’s next

Boomerang Partners will celebrate its fifth anniversary in 2026. The company is approaching this date at the peak of its effectiveness. Its inclusion on shortlists of prestigious awards is a testament to its recognition in the market. Experts have noticed Boomerang’s successes and recognize the contribution the company makes to the industry’s development. It feels strong enough to win most awards and is focused on achieving new milestones on the path to becoming the best sports-focused affiliate program in the world.

Currently, Boomerang Partners has over 3,000 affiliate partners and 13+ brands in its client portfolio. The company is the Official Regional Partner of AC Milan, and the second year of collaboration began in the summer of 2025. In 2024 and 2025, it held a global annual tournament for affiliate teams, the Golden Boomerang Awards. In fall 2025, the Golden Boomerang League, its first sports traffic tournament, took place. Boomerang Partners regularly participates in industry events, showcasing its booth and receiving prestigious awards. Over four years, the company has won 10 awards, including in 2025:

  • ‘Unique Gaming Company of the Year’ at the International Gaming Awards 2025
  • ‘Social Media Campaign of the Year’ at the SBC Awards 2025
  • ‘Rising Star in Sports Betting’ (Operator) at the SBC Awards 2025

And Boomerang Partners affiliate team lead, Kristina Shkredova, won the award for Best Affiliate Manager AskGamblers 2025.

How many awards will Boomerang Partners win in January? – Follow the official website and social media of the company, so as not to miss anything.

About Boomerang

Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global marketing agency offering a wide range of services. Boomerang Partners is the Official Regional Partner of AC Milan. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards — a global tournament for affiliate teams. More than 400 affiliate teams participated in the second season of the tournament in 2025. The agency launched six new products in 2024-2025, contributing to a nearly 1.5-fold increase in product users.

The agency’s client portfolio contains 13+ brands offering affiliate and entertainment services across 40+ markets in compliance with local regulations. These products provide personalized bonuses and 24/7 multilingual support.

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