This weekend will see Manchester City kick off their 24/25 season against Manchester United in the FA Community Shield. The hard work of City’s pre-season tour of the United States will finally be on show in a competitive fixture on Saturday. But while the gains of City’s pre-season will be visible on the pitch at Wembley the benefits of the champion’s growth in the United States and across the globe are beginning to show off the pitch.
Manchester City’s pre-season tour of the United States could prove to be a fruitful venture for the world champions. James Murray has reported for footballinsider247.com that Manchester City could earn up to £26.8 million in increased revenue from the United States in the coming years. Murray adds that Manchester City have their eyes on expanding digital propositions and connective content experiences. Sam Lee has reported for the Athletic that statistics from sports analytics company Nielsen indicate that Pep Guardiola’s side has 32 million followers in the United States. Lee further reports that official club membership has grown by over 303% since the 21/22 season.
It is now obvious that Manchester City are fast becoming one of the biggest clubs in world football.
The reports from James Murray and Sam Lee make one fact almost indisputable. Manchester City are fast becoming one of the biggest clubs in world football. There is no other conclusion that can be drawn from the irrefutable evidence provided in both reports.
It has long been a source of ammunition for Manchester City’s detractors that they aren’t a ‘traditional big club’. Well, now it is obvious that the world champions are now one of the biggest clubs in world football. A sustained era of success since Sheikh Mansour’s takeover of the club in 2008 has laid the foundation for Manchester City to grow as a club. Manchester City’s off-field staff, led by Khaldoon Al-Mubarak, has taken the club to new heights. It is a credit to all of their work that City has seen such growth in the United States and across the globe.
Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering side has continued to dominate on the pitch. 6 Premier League titles in 7 seasons is a testament to this. Throw in a treble, the FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, the FA Cup and a host of Carabao Cup triumphs just help further City’s growth.
Astounding triumphs both on and off the pitch have seen Manchester City become one of the biggest clubs in world football. The Premier League champions have their standing in football now well-established. Ahead of the 24/25 season how much more Manchester City can grow as a club will be interesting to see unfold in the coming season and years ahead.
As a city fan I dont care if we are the biggest or not. We don’t have the pedigree of Historic Liverpool or Historic United. There is no trophy for being the biggest, having the most fans, selling the most shirts.