Big Five (association football)

For the Argentine football teams, see Big Five (Argentine football).
Map showing the 'Big Five' countries with their men's top-division leagues.
  England (Premier League)
  Spain (La Liga)
  Italy (Serie A)
  Germany (Bundesliga)
  France (Ligue 1)

The Big Five refers to the association football markets of England, Germany, Spain, Italy and France. As of 2024, 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]

  1. ^ "Ace Advisory Company". aceadvisory.eu. Ace Advisory Zrt. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Football Benchmark - Home of football business data". footballbenchmark.com. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ "German fan culture: The secrets behind Bundesliga's famously passionate support". Goal.com. 11 May 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  7. ^ "The World's Most Valuable Soccer Teams 2024". Forbes. 23 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  8. ^ "Serie A: How Does It Compare to the Rest of Europe?". getfootballnewsitaly.com. Get Football Group. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Why France's Ligue 1 Has Dropped Out Of UEFA's Top Five Leagues". Forbes. 4 July 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  10. ^ "How much are Women's Super League teams worth? - The Athletic". The New York Times. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  11. ^ "How much are Women's Super League teams worth?". twocircles.com. Two Circles. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.