Quick Facts: Arsenal FC
| Owner | Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (Stan Kroenke) |
| Owner Net Worth | ~$14 billion (Stan Kroenke) |
| Founded | 1886 |
| Headquarters | London, England |
| Ownership Type | Private |
| Stock Ticker | N/A |
| Publicly Traded | No |
Who Owns Arsenal FC?
Arsenal Football Club is owned by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), the American sports and entertainment conglomerate controlled by Stan Kroenke. Kroenke first purchased a minority stake in Arsenal Holdings plc in 2007, gradually increasing his ownership over the following years. In 2018, he made a decisive move to acquire full control by purchasing the 30% stake held by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, taking his ownership to 100%. The buyout was completed for approximately £550 million for Usmanov’s shares, valued at a premium that placed Arsenal’s enterprise value at roughly £1.8 billion at the time — a figure that has grown substantially since.
Stan Kroenke is one of America’s most prominent sports franchise owners, with a portfolio that extends well beyond Arsenal. Through KSE, he owns the Los Angeles Rams (NFL), the Denver Nuggets (NBA), the Colorado Avalanche (NHL), the Colorado Rapids (MLS), the Colorado Mammoth (lacrosse), and various real estate and media interests. His wife, Ann Walton Kroenke, is an heiress to the Walmart fortune, making the Kroenke family one of the wealthiest in the United States. Stan Kroenke’s net worth is estimated at approximately $14 billion.
Stan Kroenke has generally maintained a hands-off approach to Arsenal’s operations, which has at times frustrated fans who felt the club needed more active investment and ambition. The club appointed Mikel Arteta as manager in December 2019 — a hire made by then-head of football Raul Sanllehi and Managing Director Vinai Venkatesham — and Arteta’s tenure has seen Arsenal return to the UEFA Champions League and challenge for the Premier League title in recent seasons. The Kroenke family has been represented at the club by son Josh Kroenke, who serves as a director and has been more publicly involved in Arsenal’s business affairs.
About Kroenke Sports & Entertainment
Kroenke Sports & Entertainment is a privately held conglomerate based in Los Angeles, California. Stan Kroenke developed his wealth through commercial real estate, particularly through Walmart-anchored shopping centers (a venture connected to his marriage into the Walton family). He began investing in sports franchises in the 1990s and has built one of the largest sports ownership portfolios in the world. KSE’s decision to build SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California — a $5.5 billion project — and relocate the Los Angeles Rams there in 2020 demonstrated the scale of investment that Stan Kroenke is capable of deploying.
Key Ownership Highlights
- Stan Kroenke owns 100% of Arsenal through KSE: After buying out Alisher Usmanov’s 30% stake in 2018, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment became the sole owner of Arsenal Holdings plc. The club is no longer publicly traded on the stock market and is entirely private under KSE’s control.
- Kroenke is one of sport’s most prolific franchise owners: Through KSE, Stan Kroenke owns the Los Angeles Rams (NFL), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado Rapids (MLS), and Colorado Mammoth (NLL lacrosse). His portfolio makes him one of the most diversified sports franchise owners in the world.
- Josh Kroenke represents the family at Arsenal: Stan Kroenke’s son, Josh Kroenke, has taken a more hands-on role at Arsenal, sitting on the board and engaging more directly with football matters than his father. Josh also serves as the primary representative for KSE’s North American sports franchises.
- Mikel Arteta has revitalized the club: Appointed in December 2019, manager Mikel Arteta — a former Arsenal player — has returned the club to Champions League football and mounted serious Premier League title challenges, raising expectations for the franchise’s competitive future.
- Arsenal was founded in 1886: One of the most storied clubs in English football history, Arsenal was founded in 1886 by workers at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich. The club moved north of the Thames to Highbury in 1913 and relocated to the Emirates Stadium in Islington in 2006.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Arsenal FC?
Arsenal FC is owned by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), controlled by American billionaire Stan Kroenke. KSE owns 100% of Arsenal Holdings following the 2018 buyout of Alisher Usmanov’s 30% stake. Josh Kroenke represents the family on Arsenal’s board.
Is Arsenal FC publicly traded?
No. Arsenal Holdings plc was once traded on a small UK stock exchange, but since Stan Kroenke acquired 100% of the club in 2018, it has been a fully private company and no longer publicly traded.
How much did Stan Kroenke pay for Arsenal?
Stan Kroenke gradually acquired Arsenal shares from 2007 onwards. The decisive step came in 2018 when he paid approximately £550 million to buy out Alisher Usmanov’s 30% stake, bringing him to 100% ownership. The total amount invested across all purchases amounts to well over £1 billion.
What other sports teams does Stan Kroenke own?
Through KSE, Stan Kroenke owns the Los Angeles Rams (NFL), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado Rapids (MLS), and Colorado Mammoth (NLL). This makes him one of the most diversified sports franchise owners in North America and internationally.