Football M&A activity hits record high in 2025 as majority deals and US capital expand
IMAGO | Andrew Cavenagh, chairman of Rangers FC, led a US consortium that acquired a controlling stake in the club in 2025.
The Recap
Football M&A activity reached a new high in 2025, with the increase largely driven by a rise in majority acquisitions compared with 2024.
Data Insight
US investors were involved in 40 of the 78 completed deals, accounting for more than half of all transactions during the year.
Why It Matters
The growth reflects accelerating multi-club ownership strategies, sustained US investor appetite and rising investment into women’s football as ownership models diversify.
The Perspective
The data suggests European football’s ownership market is becoming structurally deeper, with capital increasingly spread across leagues, asset types and gendered competitions rather than concentrated at the top.
7 January 2026 - 5:06 PM
The level of football M&A activity reached its highest point in 2025 since Off The Pitch’s M&A Tracker began tracking the market. Deal volume surged compared to 2024 and earlier years and underlined how active the ownership market has become across European football.
Several underlying themes run through the 2025 data: a higher overall number of deals, a clear increase in majority acquisitions, and a notably stronger presence of US in
Get smarter in minutes. Straight to your inbox
21-day free trial
Activate instantly with the link we’ll send you.
