Connect with us

Latest News

Real Madrid and Barcelona neck-and-neck as world’s most valuable football brands in the face of COVID-19

Published

on

Reading Time: 3 minutes

 

  • Real Madrid remain world’s most valuable football brand, but Barcelona narrow the gap to just €6 million
  • COVID-19 causes total brand value of top 50 clubs to decrease for the first time in 6 years – €751 million or 3.7% is knocked off
  • English clubs dominate the ranking with six brands in top 10 and 19 in top 50
  • Liverpool inches two spots up into 4th place, following historic Premier League win
  • Bundesliga’s 1. FC Köln is this year’s fastest-growing brand, followed by Leicester City and RB Leipzig – all recording over 40% growth
  • Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium takes top spot in Buro Happold’s Venue Performance Rating

Real Madrid remain the most valuable football club brand in the world for 2020, according to the latest edition of the Brand Finance Football Annual. Boosted by winning the LaLiga title for the first time since 2017, the club retained its position at the top of the table in the football industry, but against a backdrop of economic and social disruption, caused primarily by the COVID-19 pandemic, Real Madrid’s brand value has declined by 14% to €1,419 million.

Real Madrid’s disappointing on-pitch performance prior to 2019-20, which saw an earlier-than-normal exit from the UEFA Champions League in 2018-19 and a second successive season adrift of LaLiga champions Barcelona, eroded the club’s dominance of the Brand Finance ranking. The situation was exacerbated by COVID-19, along with a lack of stability around the management of the team. Barcelona, Real’s fierce rivals, are just €6 million behind Real with a brand value of €1,413 million, supported by strong and diverse revenue generation and continued domestic performance in Spain.

COVID-19 knocks off €751 million of brand value

Real Madrid is not the only club to see a drop in brand value this year. COVID-19 has caused the total value of the top 50 football brands to decrease for the first time in 6 years. Through its effect on the three main revenue streams – Matchday, Broadcasting, and Commercial – €751 million or 3.7% has been knocked off the cumulative brand value of the world’s top 50 most valuable football clubs.

Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged professional football worldwide and across all levels. Matchday income for the 501 games remaining in the big 5 leagues dropped to zero, but it is often the smaller clubs and leagues which are more reliant on this revenue stream – in Scotland it makes up 43% of total revenue, compared to only 13% in England.

There have been some positive signs, as Southampton vs Manchester City on BBC broke the Premier League TV audience record with 5.7 million viewers, but the longer-term damage to the game’s economic structure has yet to be revealed.

Richard Haigh, Managing Director of Brand Finance, commented:

“Top-level football has been confronted with the largest existential threat since the Second World War. Loss of income, coupled with health concerns about mass gatherings, have raised question marks about the future of the industry and the financial resilience of clubs across all levels. The full damage of the COVID-19 crisis has yet to unfold and it is not inconceivable there will be casualties in the form of club bankruptcies and changes in ownership.”

Despite the huge implications of COVID-19 for football clubs and their financial results, the majority of the brand value is secured by the clubs’ long-term future – provided they can survive the initial shock. For example, only 21% of Real Madrid’s brand value is delivered by the next five years’ financial results.

Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

Premier power

Real Madrid and Barcelona are followed by a cluster of English Premier League clubs in the Brand Finance Football Annual 2020 ranking, with Manchester United in 3rd position after their brand value fell by 11% to €1,314 million. Liverpool, who won their first league title since 1990 in runaway style, are in 4th spot jumping above Manchester City in terms of brand value, rising from €1,191 million in 2019 to €1,262 million, a 6% increase. Chelsea dropped one place in the table to 8th after their value fell for the fourth consecutive year to €949 million. This was arguably due to the club being absent from the UEFA Champions League and also suffering a transfer ban after being charged with breaking Financial Fair Play Regulations.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Latest News

Playzia Partners with Big Time Gaming to Integrate Megaways™ Mechanic into Upcoming Releases

Published

on

playzia-partners-with-big-time-gaming-to-integrate-megaways-mechanic-into-upcoming-releases
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

Playzia, a fast-growing game provider to the iGaming industry, has announced a strategic partnership with Big Time Gaming to incorporate the renowned Megaways™ mechanic into a series upcoming game titles. The collaboration aims to enhance Playzia’s diverse portfolio, aligned with its mission to offer dynamic and player-centric game experiences.

The Megaways™ mechanic introduces a dynamic reel modifier system that alters the number of symbols on each reel with every spin, creating a vast array of potential paylines and significantly increasing win opportunities. This innovation has revolutionized the slot gaming landscape, providing players with unpredictable and thrilling gameplay.

Under the agreement, Playzia will integrate the Megaways™ mechanic into a series of forthcoming releases, starting with T-Rex Treasure Hunt. T-Rex Treasure Hunt, Playzia’s upcoming Megaways™ slot, promises an immersive and action-packed gaming experience, featuring up to 117,649 ways to win on every spin. Players will enjoy the Tumble mechanic, where winning symbols disappear and new ones cascade in, increasing the chance for consecutive wins. The Free Spins feature, triggered by landing four or more dinosaur fossil scatters, comes with a progressive multiplier that increases with each tumble, offering limitless win potential. Adding to the excitement, the Bonus Dino Fight feature introduces a thrilling dinosaur battle with multipliers for even bigger rewards. With animated symbols, a dynamic betting panel, an auto-spin option, and a transparent randomization algorithm ensuring fair play, T-Rex Treasure Hunt delivers an engaging and rewarding slot experience.

Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

Vlad Modorcea, Chief Product Officer at Playzia, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership:

“Megaways has been a cornerstone of slot gaming since Bonanza Megaways, captivating millions of players worldwide. We are honored to join this exclusive club and are committed to delivering a top-tier gaming experience with our first Megaways release, T-Rex Treasure Hunt. Featuring cascading reels, up to 117,649 ways to win, and a massive max win of 10,000x, this game is designed for thrill-seekers and high rollers alike. Any spin can trigger the exciting Dino Fight feature, where iconic dinosaurs battle it out for even bigger rewards.”

Nik Robinson, CEO at Big Time Gaming, commented:

“The Megaways™ mechanic has proven to be a hit with players globally, and we are pleased that this latest agreement with Playzia will allow for even more innovative and original ideas to be added to the much-loved mechanic.”

This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Playzia as it continues to expand its game offerings, ensuring that players can enjoy a variety of high-quality, engaging titles that leverage the best in iGaming innovation.

Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

Playzia is set to unveil an exciting lineup of new games in 2025, with three titles scheduled for release each month. Players can look forward to a variety of innovative features, including unique trademarked mechanics and diverse game types such as crash, table, instant, and probability games. The addition of thrilling jackpots and tournaments is set to elevate the gaming experience, offering new levels of excitement and rewards.

In addition to this, Playzia has recently announced its partnership with ITV Studios to develop a series of ten ‘Love Island’-themed games over the next three years. The first three titles are slated for release in 2025, bringing the excitement of the popular reality show to the online gaming world.

The post Playzia Partners with Big Time Gaming to Integrate Megaways™ Mechanic into Upcoming Releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Latest News

BC.GAME Launches Pioneering Solana Airdrop with 400 Million $BC Tokens

Published

on

bc.game-launches-pioneering-solana-airdrop-with-400-million-$bc-tokens
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

BC.GAME has launched an airdrop in the Solana ecosystem. The platform distributed 400 million $BC tokens, further expanding its presence in the blockchain space. BC.GAME was the first to airdrop tokens to Pump.fun users, offering them an opportunity to receive rewards ahead of other platforms.

Since its launch in January 2024, Pump.fun has rapidly become one of Solana’s major meme coin creation and trading platforms. Meanwhile, an official airdrop has yet to be announced by Pump.fun, BC.GAME is stepping in with a larger, earlier airdrop plan to get ahead of the game.

A snapshot was taken of all Pump.fun addresses that completed at least 10 transactions between January 31, 2024, and February 13, 2025. These addresses were then ranked based on their absolute profit or loss during this period. The top 100,000 addresses were eligible to receive the airdrop, with rewards distributed as follows:

Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

Top 1000 users: 30,000 $BC each

Ranks 1001 – 2000: 25,000 $BC each

Ranks 2001 – 10,000: 10,000 $BC each

Ranks 10,001 – 50,000: 4000 $BC each

Ranks 50,001 – 100,000: 2100 $BC each

Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

In total, 400 million $BC tokens were distributed among 100,000 users.

BC.GAME’s airdrop was designed to prioritize fairness and transparency. By offering a “Provably Fair” distribution, with clear rules and publicly available addresses, the initiative ensured a fully transparent process.

The post BC.GAME Launches Pioneering Solana Airdrop with 400 Million $BC Tokens appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Latest News

VipStake Launches as Leading VIP Casino Platform with 24/7 Personalised Support

Published

on

vipstake-launches-as-leading-vip-casino-platform-with-24/7-personalised-support
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

VipStake, the newest and most advanced platform for VIP casino players, is officially launching to redefine the way high rollers engage with online gaming.

VipStake is not just another casino comparison site, it’s a premium hub for high-stakes players seeking the ultimate VIP experience. Designed to connect elite players with the most exclusive VIP casino programmes, VipStake provides expert reviews, in-depth insights and direct access to top-tier loyalty perks.

Features of VipStake

Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

• Exclusive VIP Bonuses: High-rollers get tailored deposit bonuses, enhanced cashback and exclusive rewards, maximising winnings with premium incentives.

• Fast & High-Limit Withdrawals: Enjoy high withdrawal limits and priority payouts, ensuring quick and secure access to the funds without delays.

• Private VIP Events & Tournaments: Access invite-only poker, blackjack and slot tournaments, plus luxury travel, elite networking and premium casino experiences.

• 24/7 VIP Concierge Service: Get round-the-clock personalised support for exclusive perks, priority withdrawals, tailored bonuses and high-stakes gaming recommendations.

VipStake takes VIP gaming to the next level, ensuring high rollers get premium treatment, unbeatable benefits and an elite gaming atmosphere.

Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

“We created VipStake to elevate the VIP casino experience to new heights. Our platform provides high-stakes players with the insights, tools, and exclusive access they need to maximize their gaming experience,” Paul Buianov, CEO of VipStake, said.

The post VipStake Launches as Leading VIP Casino Platform with 24/7 Personalised Support appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Trending

Offering comprehensive coverage on all aspects of the gaming sector, our daily posts include online and land-based gaming, betting, esports, regulatory and compliance updates, and technological advancements. Regular features encompass daily news articles, press releases, exclusive interviews, and insightful event reports.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Gaming News Room is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania