Manchester United (NYSE: MANU): Financial Performance of a Publicly Traded Football Club
- Mixed Financial Results: Manchester United (NYSE: MANU) reported fourth-quarter revenue of £157.5 million, down from £164.1 million a year earlier. The club also reported a fourth-quarter net loss of £28.7 million and a basic and diluted loss per share of 16.66 pence. For the full year, revenue reached a record £677.6 million, while net loss widened to £43.0 million.
- Operational Turnaround: Manchester United returned to a full-year operating profit of £22.6 million, compared with an operating loss of £18.4 million in the prior year.
- Segment Performance: Broadcasting revenue rose 28.4% in the fourth quarter to £49.7 million, while sponsorship revenue fell 26.2% in the quarter and 14.8% for the full year.
Manchester United (NYSE: MANU) is one of the world’s most famous football clubs and is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange, making it a notable football club stock. The company generates income from three main areas: commercial activities such as sponsorship, retail, merchandising, apparel, and product licensing; broadcasting rights; and matchday revenue from ticket sales and hospitality at Old Trafford.
On September 23, 2026, Manchester United reported results for its fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended June 30, 2026. For the fourth quarter, the company reported revenue of £157.5 million, compared with £164.1 million in the prior-year quarter. The company also reported a fourth-quarter net loss of £28.7 million and a basic and diluted loss per share of 16.66 pence.
For the full fiscal year, Manchester United achieved record revenue of £677.6 million, up 1.7% from £666.5 million in the prior year. However, the club still reported a full-year net loss of £43.0 million, compared with a net loss of £33.0 million in the previous year. Its full-year basic and diluted loss per share was 24.91 pence.
Despite the wider net loss, the club improved at the operating level. Manchester United generated an operating profit of £22.6 million for the full year, compared with an operating loss of £18.4 million a year earlier. Chief Executive Officer Omar Berrada said the record revenue and adjusted EBITDA demonstrated the underlying strength of the business, particularly in a season without European football.
A closer look at the results shows mixed segment performance. Broadcasting revenue increased 28.4% in the fourth quarter to £49.7 million, helped by the men’s first team finishing third in the Premier League, compared with 15th in the prior season. Sponsorship revenue declined 26.2% in the quarter to £37.8 million, mainly because the prior-year quarter included revenue from a post-season tour to Malaysia and Hong Kong. For the full year, sponsorship revenue fell 14.8% to £160.5 million, mainly due to the end of the club’s Tezos training-kit sponsorship agreement before the start of the 2025/26 season.
