Atletico Madrid, one of Spain’s most storied football clubs, is set to embark on a new chapter as Apollo Sports Capital, a prominent American asset management firm, becomes its majority shareholder. The deal, which was officially announced on November 10, 2025, marks a significant shift in the club’s ownership structure and signals both continuity and ambition for the future.
The agreement, which will see Apollo Sports Capital take over as the primary shareholder early next year, values the club at approximately €2 billion (about $2.31 billion), according to The Athletic. While the financial specifics remain closely guarded, the move is considered one of the most high-profile investments in European football this year. Apollo’s ascension to majority ownership comes after months of speculation, with reports in September 2025 indicating the firm was nearing a deal to acquire a significant stake in the La Liga giants.
Despite the change in ownership, Atletico Madrid’s leadership will remain unchanged. Chief executive Miguel Ángel Gil and president Enrique Cerezo will continue in their roles, a decision intended to ensure what both parties described as “continuity of vision and leadership.” This continuity was highlighted in a joint statement from the club and Apollo, which emphasized their shared commitment to reinforcing Atletico’s position among football’s elite and pursuing long-term success for fans around the globe.
“Apollo is a great ally that respects the history, traditions, and identity of Atletico and its fans,” Gil Marin said of the announcement. He added, “While the investment brings additional resources and enthusiasm to help maintain our growth and competitiveness.”
Rob Givone, portfolio manager at Apollo Sports Capital, echoed this sentiment. “Miguel Angel has done an extraordinary job transforming Atlético, and it was essential for us to invest in support of the continuity of his leadership, as well as investing in the team and the local community.”
The club’s structure will also see Quantum Pacific Group, owned by Israel-British billionaire Idan Ofer, and Ares Management retain their positions as minority shareholders. This is not the first time Atletico has attracted international investment; previous stakeholders have included Chinese conglomerate Wanda, which exited its position by selling to Quantum Pacific Group.
Importantly, both Atletico and Apollo have been clear that the deal is not part of a multi-club control strategy—a trend that has become increasingly common in global football. Instead, the focus is squarely on bolstering the club’s long-term success, both on and off the pitch. “The investment by ASC will reinforce the club's position among football's elite and support its ambition to deliver long-term success for millions of fans worldwide,” the joint statement read. “As long-term investors, ASC and the existing shareholders will partner with Atlético de Madrid’s management to enhance the club’s financial strength, sporting competitiveness and community impact.”
One of the most striking aspects of Apollo’s investment is its commitment to major infrastructure projects, most notably the ambitious Ciudad del Deporte—or “Sports City”—development. The €800 million project is being constructed on land surrounding Atletico’s Metropolitano Stadium and will include a new training ground for Diego Simeone’s first team, public facilities for golf, padel, and skating, and what is set to be Europe’s largest inland surfing center. Apollo’s capital injection is expected to accelerate the completion of this vast sports and entertainment district, further cementing the club’s role as a community hub and a leader in sports innovation.
Gil Marin has been candid about the necessity of external investment to keep Atletico competitive. Speaking at the Business and Sport Forum in Madrid in September, he remarked, “To get good results and keep the fans happy, you have to keep investing significant money in players and infrastructure. That investment has to come from outside. We began with Wanda, then Quantum Pacific, then Ares, and now we are open to a new investor coming into the ownership group. We understand it is necessary so that the club can work better, with better players, infrastructure, services for fans. Football has to be much more than just the 90 minutes, and that is what this investment is for.”
Apollo Sports Capital is no stranger to the sports world. The firm has previously invested in high-profile tennis tournaments such as the Madrid Open and Miami Open. The company’s broader pedigree in asset management is formidable; founded in 1990 by Josh Harris, Leon Black, and Marc Rowan, Apollo was ranked as the 28th largest asset management firm in the world by the end of 2024, with assets under management totaling $751 billion, according to the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute. Although Harris departed Apollo in 2022, he retained a 6% stake as of April 2024.
On the pitch, Atletico Madrid remains a formidable force. Under the stewardship of coach Diego Simeone since 2011, the club currently sits fourth in La Liga after 12 games, six points behind rivals Real Madrid. The team boasts an impressive record: 11 Spanish championships, with the most recent title coming in 2021, and two Champions League final appearances in 2014 and 2016, both times narrowly losing to Real Madrid.
Atletico’s influence also extends beyond the field. Miguel Ángel Gil’s involvement in the executive committees of both the European Football Clubs group and UEFA underscores the club’s strategic importance in European football circles. The addition of experienced executives, such as ex-Barcelona sporting director Mateu Alemany, further signals the club’s intent to remain at the forefront of both sporting and business innovation.
For Apollo, the deal is about more than financial returns. Givone described Atletico as “one of Europe’s great sporting institutions,” emphasizing the firm’s respect for the club’s legacy and its millions of fans worldwide. Jim Miller, co-head of Ares’ sports, media, and entertainment strategy, added, “We are equally excited to remain minority investors and continue providing strategic support as the club builds on its momentum.”
The transition to American majority ownership marks a pivotal moment in Atletico Madrid’s long history, which stretches back to its founding in 1903. As the club looks to the future, the partnership with Apollo Sports Capital promises not only to preserve its storied traditions but also to propel it into a new era of growth, both on the pitch and in the wider community. With leadership continuity secured and ambitious plans underway, Atletico’s fans have every reason to look forward to what comes next.
