Real Madrid wage bill reaches record €707m after summer spending

Real Madrid’s wage bill has risen to a club-record €707m this season after significant investment in the summer transfer market and contract renewals for key players.

The figure, which includes the salaries of players and coaching staff, was reported by specialist financial website 2Playbook. It places Real Madrid close to the record wage bill held by Paris Saint-Germain.

The increase follows two consecutive seasons without a trophy, with club president Florentino Perez overseeing a number of high-profile additions. According to Sport, Yan Diomande, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, Carlos Espi, Marc Cucurella and Denzel Dumfries have joined the squad.

The club has also renewed the contracts of prominent players, including Vinicius Junior, contributing to the rise in its overall salary costs.

Despite the increase, the wage bill remains within the limits set by UEFA. It represents 57% of Real Madrid’s total turnover and 50% of its revenue.

Real Madrid expects to generate a record €1.405bn in revenue during the current season. The board, led by Perez, forecasts a profit of about €14m.

The renovated Santiago Bernabeu is expected to provide €420m of that income through supporters’ subscriptions and ticket sales, as well as revenue from the museum, hospitality areas and other events. One such event was an American football match held on Sunday.

Player sales are another significant source of income, with Real Madrid bringing in €155m. Most of that sum came from players who progressed through the club’s youth system, including Nico Paz, Jacobo Ortega, Victor Munoz, Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios.

The 2Playbook report said €44.4m of the €707m wage bill relates to the basketball team and coaching staff. Real Madrid’s women’s team accounts for a further €8.5m.

The women’s side recorded a loss of €785,000 last season, while its budget for the current campaign has increased to €16m.

The basketball section’s budget has risen to €67m this season. It reported losses of €33m during the previous campaign.

Real Madrid are scheduled to face Celta Vigo in La Liga on 21 November 2026, while Barcelona play Villarreal in the same competition on 22 November 2026.

Members of Real Madrid will be asked to approve the accounts at the club’s general assembly next Saturday.