Football’s biggest clubs spend huge sums to keep star players happy, and the gap at the top is insane. Based on Capology’s estimated figures for the 2025-2026 season, these are the 15 clubs with the highest gross payrolls in world football, ranked from 15th to 1st.
Capology’s figures are estimates, not official club accounts. They do not include image rights, commercial deals, social security, pension costs, housing, transport or other player benefits.
Atletico Madrid — $223,732,938
Atletico Madrid start the list in 15th place, with an estimated gross payroll of $223.7 million.
The La Liga side are listed with $178.9 million in fixed salaries and $44.8 million in bonuses.
Tottenham — $232,387,759
Tottenham sit 14th, with an estimated payroll of $232.4 million for the season.
Their fixed wage bill is put at $183.8 million, with bonuses adding around $48.6 million.
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Al-Ahli — $234,974,806
Al-Ahli rank 13th, showing the growing spending power of the Saudi Pro League.
Their fixed salaries are estimated at $197 million, while bonuses make up another $38 million.
Aston Villa — $240,621,830
Aston Villa come in 12th, with an estimated total payroll of $240.6 million.
The Premier League club’s fixed salary spend is listed at $193 million, plus $47.6 million in bonuses.
Chelsea — $245,887,099
Chelsea are 11th on the list, with an estimated payroll of just under $246 million.
Their fixed salaries are put at $194.1 million, with bonuses estimated at $51.8 million.
Manchester United — $279,329,842
Manchester United take 10th place, with an estimated payroll of $279.3 million.
The club’s fixed salary bill stands at $218.3 million, while bonuses add around $61.1 million.
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Liverpool — $291,545,610
Liverpool rank ninth, with an estimated gross payroll of $291.5 million.
Their fixed salaries are listed at $239 million, with another $52.6 million set aside for bonuses.
PSG — $298,577,967
PSG sit eighth, with an estimated payroll of $298.6 million.
The French club’s fixed salary bill is $215.2 million, while bonuses are estimated at $83.3 million.
Arsenal — $313,645,760
Arsenal come in seventh, with an estimated payroll of $313.6 million.
Their fixed salaries are put at $249.4 million, with bonuses adding a further $64.2 million.
Barcelona — $351,439,164
Barcelona rank sixth, with an estimated gross payroll of $351.4 million.
The La Liga club’s fixed salary spend is listed at $272.8 million, plus $78.7 million in bonuses.
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Bayern Munich — $369,758,639
Bayern Munich are fifth, with an estimated payroll of $369.8 million.
Their fixed salary bill stands at $289.4 million, while bonuses are estimated at $80.4 million.
Manchester City — $410,070,881
Manchester City sit fourth, with an estimated gross payroll of $410.1 million.
The Premier League champions are listed with $316.6 million in fixed salaries and $93.5 million in bonuses.
Al Hilal — $452,081,202
Al Hilal rank third, making them one of the biggest spenders in world football.
Their fixed salaries are estimated at $376.3 million, with bonuses adding around $75.8 million.
Real Madrid — $504,651,755
Real Madrid come in second, with an estimated payroll of $504.7 million.
The Spanish giants have a fixed salary bill of $358 million, plus an estimated $146.7 million in bonuses.
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Al Nassr — $508,034,779
Al Nassr top the list, with an estimated gross payroll of $508 million.
The Saudi Pro League club’s fixed salaries are put at $423.2 million, with bonuses adding another $84.8 million.
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