Apollo Sports Capital to acquire 55% of Atletico Madrid, marking a major U.S. investment in Spanish football valued at €2.5bn

Apollo Sports Capital, the sports investment arm of U.S. private equity firm Apollo, is set to finalise the acquisition of a 55% stake in Atletico Madrid on March 12, positioning the firm as the majority shareholder of one of Spain’s leading football clubs.

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The deal, first announced in November, values Atletico Madrid at approximately 2.5 billion euros ($2.88 billion), according to Spanish newspaper Expansion, which cited unnamed sources.

Apollo Sports Capital and Atletico Madrid have not provided official comments on the transaction. Reuters reached out to both parties for confirmation, but no responses were received.

The acquisition reflects the rising interest of global investment funds in European football, where clubs are increasingly regarded as long-term revenue-generating assets through broadcasting rights, sponsorship deals, and international commercial growth.

Analysts note that Apollo’s majority ownership could accelerate Atletico Madrid’s expansion strategy and increase its commercial footprint in the United States and Asia.

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The agreement underscores a broader trend of private equity involvement in top-tier football clubs, as investors seek stable returns from the sport’s lucrative media and merchandising markets.