Atletico Madrid Welcomes New Majority Owner in Strategic Investment

Atletico Madrid has officially confirmed a pivotal shift in ownership, with Apollo Sports Capital (ASC) acquiring a majority stake in the club. This significant change was announced through a statement on the club’s website, indicating that existing major shareholders will reduce their stakes to facilitate this investment. Despite the transfer of majority ownership to ASC, Miguel Angel Gil and Enrique Cerezo will continue in their roles as CEO and chairman, respectively, and will remain shareholders.

The partnership is designed to bolster Atletico Madrid’s standing among football’s elite and support long-term success for its vast fanbase worldwide. The investment is contingent upon customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, with completion anticipated in the first quarter of 2026. Financial terms of the transaction have not been publicly disclosed.

The influx of capital from ASC is expected to significantly enhance Atletico’s ambitious long-term strategies. A primary focus of this investment will be to further develop all of Atletico Madrid’s teams, including the men’s, women’s, and academy squads, thereby improving their competitive edge in the sport.

A notable aspect of this partnership is the funding allocated for major infrastructure projects, particularly the “City of Sport” initiative. This ambitious development aims to create a new sports and entertainment center adjacent to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium. The club stated, “The goal of this project is to establish a world-class destination for sport, leisure, culture, and community activities.” Leveraging Apollo’s extensive experience in the sports, media, and entertainment sectors, ASC aspires to transform the area into a “dynamic, transformative, and multidisciplinary urban center for the people of Madrid.”

Angel Gil, Atletico’s CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for the new partnership, stating, “We are very proud to welcome a new partner committed to the club. Apollo Sports Capital is a valuable ally that respects the history, traditions, and identity of Atletico de Madrid and its fans, while bringing additional resources and enthusiasm to help maintain our growth and competitiveness.”

Robert Givone, a partner at Apollo and co-manager of ASC, emphasized the importance of continuity in leadership: “Atletico de Madrid is one of Europe’s great sporting institutions, and it is an honor for Apollo Sports Capital to invest in this historic club and its legacy of over 120 years. Miguel Angel has done an extraordinary job transforming Atletico, and it was essential for us to invest in support of his leadership, as well as in the team and the local community.”

This new partnership aims to fortify the club’s financial stability. Gil acknowledged the contributions of prior partners, stating, “Atletico would not be where it is today without the support of Wanda Group, Quantum Pacific, and Ares, whose backing has been crucial during key moments.” The collaboration with ASC is intended to build upon this foundation, driving “solid and sustainable growth” for the club.

ASC is a global sports investment company and a subsidiary of Apollo, with an investment strategy centered on the sports and live events sector, primarily through credit and hybrid investment avenues. Atletico will be the flagship investment for ASC, with the firm clarifying that it is “not part of a multi-ownership strategy to control clubs.”

This distinction indicates that ASC’s focus is exclusively on Atletico and its potential, rather than the establishment of a portfolio of clubs under shared ownership. Other recent investments by Apollo Sports Capital include stakes in the Mutua Madrid Open and Miami Open tennis tournaments, in partnership with MARI, as well as a new entity formed by Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro. ASC’s leadership includes CEO Al Tylis, co-managers Givone and Lee Solomon, and Chief Strategy Officer Sam Porter.

Atletico Madrid currently holds fourth place in La Liga, with 25 points from 12 matches, including seven victories, four draws, and one loss. They trail league leaders Real Madrid by four points and are three points behind second-placed Barcelona. The team has demonstrated strong recent form, recording four wins and one draw in their last five league matches, highlighted by a convincing 3-1 victory over Levante, where Antoine Griezmann scored twice.

The investment will also extend to Atletico’s affiliated clubs, Atletico de San Luis and Atletico Ottawa, which will likewise come under majority ownership by Apollo Sports Capital. Current shareholders – Angel Gil, Cerezo, Quantum Pacific Group, and funds managed by Ares Management – will maintain minority stakes in these entities.

The anticipated completion of this deal in the first quarter of 2026 promises to usher in a new era for Atletico Madrid. The immediate impact will be a capital infusion aimed at strengthening the squad and accelerating the City of Sport project, which seeks to enhance the areas surrounding the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium. Following the international break, Atletico will resume La Liga action against Getafe on Sunday, November 23. The continued leadership of Gil and Cerezo, alongside the new financial backing, underscores a commitment to both tradition and ambitious growth, aiming to solidify Atletico Madrid’s position among Europe’s elite clubs in the long term.