Manchester City Football Club—commonly called Man City—is one of the top football teams in the world. It plays in the English Premier League, wowed fans with multiple league titles, and is famous for signing superstar players. If you’ve ever asked, “Who owns Man City?”, here’s a thorough and updated look at the question.
Who Owns Manchester City?
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Majority Owner | Sheikh Mansour (Abu Dhabi United Group) |
| Ownership Structure | CFG: 81% ADUG, 18% Silver Lake, 1% CMC |
| Day-to-Day Leaders | Khaldoon Al Mubarak (Chairman), Ferran Soriano (CEO) |
| Premier League Titles | 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 (and more) |
| Stadium Expansion | £300 million Etihad redevelopment |
| FFP Investigation | 115 alleged rule breaches (ongoing) |
The majority owner of Manchester City is Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family and the Vice President of the UAE. He bought the club in September 2008 through his investment company, Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG).
Because football clubs usually aren’t owned by individuals directly, he owns Man City via a company called City Football Group (CFG), which he helped create in 2013.
What Is City Football Group?
City Football Group (CFG) is the holding company that controls Manchester City and several other football clubs worldwide. Established in 2013, CFG manages a network of teams and football businesses across different countries.
Here’s a quick look at CFG’s global presence:
- FC Owned Fully: Manchester City (England), Melbourne City (Australia), Montevideo City Torque (Uruguay)
- Majority Shared: Mumbai City (India), New York City (USA)
- Minority Stakes: Girona (Spain), Palermo (Italy), and others
Who Owns CFG?
| Owner | Stake in CFG |
|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi United Group | ~81% ownership (majority owner) |
| Silver Lake | ~18% ownership (major investor) |
| China Media Capital | ~1% (minor stake) |
So Sheikh Mansour (via ADUG) owns around 81% of CFG and manages Manchester City. The rest is split between Silver Lake and a small Chinese investor group.
Who Runs Manchester City?
Although Sheikh Mansour is the majority owner, daily operations are led by Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and CEO Ferran Soriano. Their leadership has overseen:
- Hiring top coaches like Pep Guardiola
- Expanding stadium capacity
- Boosting the club’s global brand and commercial deals
Why Man City’s Ownership Matters to Fans
- Club Success – Sheikh Mansour’s investment has brought:
- Multiple Premier League titles
- A historic Champions League win in 2023
- Financial Strength – The club posted a £715 million revenue in 2024 with a £73 million profit.
- Strategic Expansion – CFG’s global presence helps Man City scout talent worldwide and grow its brand.
- Legal and Ethical Scrutiny – The club faces a Premier League investigation over alleged Financial Fair Play (FFP) rule breaches. Sheikh Mansour’s involvement draws political attention because of his UAE royal status.
What’s the Deal with Financial Fair Play?
In September 2023, the Premier League referred Man City to an independent commission, alleging over 115 rule breaches linked to sponsorship and financial reporting.
Man City maintains they have “irrefutable evidence” and deny wrongdoing. The case hasn’t concluded yet as of mid‑2025.
Manchester City Club Growth & Achievements
- Recurring Success – Won four straight Premier Leagues by 2024 and topped revenue charts
- Stadium Expansion – Under a £300 million project, Etihad Stadium will hold over 60,000 fans and include fan zones and amenities
- Silver Lake Investment – In 2019 and again later, Silver Lake invested over $500 million, valuing CFG at $4.8 billion, with their stake rising to 18%
- Global Reach – CFG now oversees 12 clubs, helping Manchester City share talent and branding worldwide
FAQs
Q. Who owns Manchester City?
Sheikh Mansour owns the club via ADUG, holding the majority of CFG shares.
Q. Does anyone else own part?
Yes—Silver Lake holds about 18% of CFG, and a minor Chinese investor (CMC) holds about 1%.
Q. Is Man City owned by UAE’s government?
No. It is privately owned by Sheikh Mansour’s investment group (ADUG), though his royal position connects the club to UAE influence.
Q. What’s with the Premier League probe?
The commission is reviewing allegations of financial misconduct (115 breaches). Man City denies these claims.
Q. How much is CFG worth?
It’s valued at around $4.8 billion, thanks to a $500 million investment from Silver Lake
Manchester City Football Club Official Site
Discover more from Who Is The Owner Of
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.