Inter Miami Tops MLS Valuations As League Enters New Era Of ‘Superclubs’

‎Major League Soccer is entering a new financial and competitive era one driven by global superstars, ambitious ownership groups, and an increasingly influential international footprint.

‎According to new data released by Sportico, MLS now has five clubs valued at more than $1 billion. At the top of the list for the first time is Inter Miami, whose valuation has risen to an impressive $1.45 billion.

‎Inter Miami’s Rise to the Top

‎Inter Miami’s ascent is one of the most captivating stories in MLS history.

‎Co-owned by David Beckham, the club has experienced a rapid transformation both on and off the pitch. Its valuation rose by 22 percent over the past year, powered by significant commercial growth, increased global visibility, and the landmark arrival of Lionel Messi in 2023.

‎Miami’s first-ever MLS Cup title last December added a final layer to its surge, placing the club ahead of LAFC, which previously held the top valuation for four consecutive years.

‎Expanding the Billion-Dollar Club

‎The newest valuation report reflects a league that is accelerating at the top end. Inter Miami and LAFC lead a list that also includes LA Galaxy, Atlanta United, and New York City FC, each surpassing the billion-dollar mark.

‎The rise of these teams shows the increasing financial strength within the league, although the growth is not evenly distributed.

‎MLS clubs now have an average valuation of $767 million, representing a 6 percent increase from last year. Since the first Sportico MLS valuations in 2021, the overall rise has reached an impressive 39 percent, with combined team values now totaling $23 billion.

‎However, the bottom third of the league saw just a modest 2 percent increase, underscoring the widening financial gap among franchises.

‎How MLS Compares to Other U.S. Leagues

‎Despite MLS’s growth, it still lags behind the major financial powerhouses of American sports. Inter Miami, the league’s most valuable club, sits only 116th out of 154 teams when combined with the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL rankings.

‎The Dallas Cowboys, Golden State Warriors, and Los Angeles Rams continue to dominate the top of the American sports valuation landscape, with figures that far exceed even MLS’s wealthiest teams.

‎This contrast shows both how far MLS has come and how much room still remains for expansion in the years ahead.

‎A Blockbuster Beginning to the 2026 Season

‎The upcoming season, beginning on February 21, delivers a perfect showcase for the league’s evolution. On opening night, the two most valuable MLS clubs, Inter Miami and LAFC, meet in what could serve as a preview of this year’s MLS Cup Final.

‎The match marks the first time Lionel Messi and Son Heung-min face each other in MLS, creating one of the most anticipated fixtures in league history.

‎With the clubs competing in different conferences, this matchup will be their only regular-season meeting unless both advance to the final in December.

‎MLS and the Emergence of the Superclub Era

‎Inter Miami and LAFC embody a new vision for MLS, global brands powered by star players, elite facilities, and ownership groups willing to invest for long-term dominance.

‎Their ambitious roster-building and commercial strategies mirror the development of “superclubs” in European football, introducing a new dynamic to MLS competitiveness.

‎As the 2026 season unfolds, both teams are expected to challenge for silverware on all fronts.

‎With top-tier talent, massive valuations, and growing cultural influence, Inter Miami and LAFC are poised to define a new era of MLS one in which the league’s biggest clubs begin to rival some of the world’s most recognizable football brands.

‎If all goes as anticipated, the season could very well conclude with another dramatic meeting between the league’s two coastal giants, signaling the arrival of MLS’s first true superclub showdown.