An investment company from the USA will hold the majority of shares in Atlético Madrid in future. Previous major shareholders are stepping down.
Atletico Madrid has a new majority shareholder. As the top Spanish club announced on Monday, the US investment management company Apollo Sports Capital (ASC) is acquiring more than half of the shares in the Champions League participant. Spanish media reports indicate a stake of 51 to 55 percent. According to these reports, the club has been valued at around €2.5 billion.
After several months of negotiations, Atletico said the move represents “continuity and vision” and spoke of big goals: “ASC’s investment will strengthen our club’s position among the elite and support our ambition to deliver long-term success to our millions of fans worldwide,” the club said.
New training center
Robert Givone, representative of the new majority shareholder, outlined the investors’ aspirations: “We look forward to supporting the team, honoring its spirit and traditions, and adding value in areas where we excel, such as expanding the Ciudad del Deporte and enhancing the fan experience.”
Atletico’s old training center and academy were built in 1995 and are located in the northwest of the city. The club is currently planning a new center around its stadium.
Gil, Cerezo & Co. pave the way
The four main shareholders around CEO Miguel Angel Gil and President Enrique Cerezo paved the way for ASC. They sold part of their shares but remain with the club. “The shareholder group intends to invest additional capital to support the club’s long-term plans,” according to the Colchoneros’ statement: “This includes further investments in the Atletico Madrid teams and in major infrastructure projects.”
According to the club, the takeover is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026. Currently, Atletico, coached by Diego Simeone since 2011, is fourth in La Liga and eighth in the Champions League. The women’s team is fourth in the national league.
With eleven league titles (most recently in 2021) and ten cup wins, Atletico is number three in Spain behind city rivals Real (36 championships) and FC Barcelona (28). In the 2010s, the red and whites won the Europa League three times (2010, 2012, 2018). In 1974, the capital club celebrated winning the Intercontinental Cup.
