Forbes compiles the finances of all 29 [a] MLS clubs to produce an annual ranking of the best franchises in terms of valuation. The valuations are composed of various variables in financial information and transaction data reported by several club executives. These areas are supported by applying financial metrics such as revenue and operating income to each one. [1]
The latest ranking reported that Los Angeles FC is the most valuable MLS franchise after the 2024 Major League Soccer season. The fastest growing MLS franchise is Inter Miami CF with a 17% increase in valuation since the 2023 Major League Soccer season, largely in part by the widespread popularity of Argentine superstar and 2024 MLS Most Valuable Player Lionel Messi. Los Angeles FC became the new club for highest valuation after Atlanta United FC held the position in 2019. [2]
Several media outlets have referenced in related news or conducted analytic journalism when the ranking come out, such as The Cincinnati Enquirer and American City Business Journals. [3] [4] MLS has consistently recognized the renditions of the ranking. [5] [6] The report has also applied more context to MLS trends, such as the decrease in valuation in relationship with the decrease in attendance for Chicago Fire FC. [7]
Rankings as of June 10, 2025 (2025 Major League Soccer season)
| Rank | Swing | Club | State/ province | Value [b] | Change [c] | Revenue [d] | Operating income [e] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles FC | $1.25 billion | $150 million | $12 million | |||
| 2 | Inter Miami CF | $1.2 billion | $180 million | $50 million | |||
| 3 | LA Galaxy | $1 billion | $102 million | $2 million | |||
| 4 | Atlanta United FC | $975 million | $105 million | $10 million | |||
| 5 | New York City FC | $875 million | $78 million | –$8 million | |||
| 6 | Austin FC | $825 million | $90 million | $4 million | |||
| 7 | Seattle Sounders FC | $800 million | $83 million | $2 million | |||
| 8 | D.C. United | $785 million | $90 million | $10 million | |||
| 9 | Columbus Crew | $735 million | $74 million | –$10 million | |||
| 10 | FC Cincinnati | $730 million | $76 million | $3 million | |||
| 11 | Toronto FC | $725 million | $70 million | –$12 million | |||
| 12 | Charlotte FC | $700 million | $81 million | $4 million | |||
| 13 | Philadelphia Union | $690 million | $72 million | –$8 million | |||
| 14 | St. Louis City SC | $685 million | $75 million | –$2 million | |||
| 15 | Portland Timbers | $670 million | $68 million | $1 million | |||
| 16 | Sporting Kansas City | $650 million | $75 million | –$2 million | |||
| 17 | Minnesota United FC | $610 million | $63 million | –$12 million | |||
| 18 | New York Red Bulls | $580 million | $64 million | –$5 million | |||
| 19 | Nashville SC | $570 million | $53 million | –$8 million | |||
| 20 | Houston Dynamo FC | $550 million | $58 million | –$2 million | |||
| 21 | FC Dallas | $545 million | $54 million | –$15 million | |||
| 22 | San Jose Earthquakes | $540 million | $59 million | –$10 million | |||
| 23 | New England Revolution | $535 million | $63 million | $5 million | |||
| 24 | Chicago Fire FC | $530 million | $51 million | $2 million | |||
| 25 | Real Salt Lake | $500 million | $50 million | $0 | |||
| 26 | Orlando City SC | $475 million | $50 million | –$3 million | |||
| 27 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | $440 million | $40 million | –$10 million | |||
| 28 | CF Montréal | $435 million | $45 million | –$7 million | |||
| 29 | Colorado Rapids | $415 million | $42 million | –$8 million |
| Club | 2024 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles FC | 1,250 | 475 |
| Inter Miami CF | 1,200 | |
| LA Galaxy | 1,000 | 480 |
| Atlanta United FC | 975 | 500 |
| New York City FC | 875 | 385 |
| Austin FC | 825 | 405 |
| Seattle Sounders FC | 800 | 330 |
| D.C. United | 785 | |
| Columbus Crew | 735 | 395 |
| FC Cincinnati | 730 | |
| Toronto FC | 725 | |
| Charlotte FC | 700 | 240 |
| Philadelphia Union | 690 | 390 |
| St. Louis City SC | 685 | 285 |
| Portland Timbers | 670 | 200 |
| Sporting Kansas City | 650 | 325 |
| Minnesota United FC | 610 | 300 |
| New York Red Bulls | 580 | |
| Nashville SC | 570 | 290 |
| Houston Dynamo FC | 550 | 280 |
| FC Dallas | 545 | 245 |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 540 | 335 |
| New England Revolution | 535 | 275 |
| Chicago Fire FC | 530 | 220 |
| Real Salt Lake | 500 | 235 |
| Orlando City SC | 475 | 295 |
| Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 440 | 210 |
| CF Montréal | 435 | 215 |
| Colorado Rapids | 415 | 190 |