The English Premier League remains the most commercially lucrative in world soccer, with its 20 active deals this season worth $411.68 million, says GlobalData. The leading data and analytics company notes that the strength in depth and wide-scale international visibility of this soccer league sets it apart from any other.

GlobalData’s report, ‘Kit Suppliers in Major European Soccer Markets 2022-23’, analysed ten elite European leagues* and found that the market is worth $1.28 billion over the course of the 2022-23 league season.

The English Premier League’s large traction and popularity in all continents of the world means that brands are paying handsomely for the kit production rights. However, despite its leading commercial position, the two biggest individual contracts remain linked to Spain’s La Liga.

Jake Kemp, Sport Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are the two biggest names in world soccer, and their international awareness sets them apart from any other team in the sport. FC Barcelona is currently partnered with Nike in a high-value market deal worth an estimated $149.19 million over the course of the 2022-23 season.”

The kit supplier market remains dominated by the two biggest sports brands in the world, adidas and Nike.

Kemp continues: “Adidas has emerged as this season’s biggest spender, with $452.06 million across the ten leagues GlobalData analysed. Combined with Nike’s comparable $425.8 million spend, these two market leaders represent 68.57% of the overall market spend. Both are affiliated with the biggest deals on offer in Europe, with their overall contribution to the market, in terms of deal volume, standing at 29.14%.”

Away from the influence of the big two brands in the market, British brand, Castore, is the biggest newcomer to the European soccer kit supplier market this season. The brand is looking to expand its market position and consumer awareness across the continent, and in doing so has signed four new deals this season.

Kemp adds: “Looking to establish itself as a premium offering in the market, it has targeted bigger deals in some of the larger leagues in Europe, signing deals in England, Spain, and Germany.”

* Leagues looked at for the purposes of this report are as followed: Premier League (England); La Liga (Spain); Serie A (Italy); Bundesliga (Germany); Ligue 1 (France); Liga Portugal (Portugal); Eredivisie (Netherlands); Austrian Bundesliga (Austria); Premiership (Scotland); and First Division A (Belgium).