FC Barcelona Becomes First Sports Club To Surpass 20m YouTube Subscribers
FC Barcelona has become the first sports club in the world to exceed 20 million subscriptions on YouTube.
Its growth on the leading video platform has solidified year on year, now with a strategy tailored to new platform trends. This includes a strong focus on publishing content through YouTube Shorts, which has allowed the club to reach even broader audiences, attract new users and gain additional subscribers.
Only FIFA (22.8 million) and the NBA (22.5 million) have more fans on YouTube than FC Barcelona who achieved a 65% increase in new subscribers in 2024 compared to 2023. Additionally, video views grew by 10% in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Over 50% of those new subscriptions have come from YouTube Shorts, confirming the success of the club’s commitment to this format, spearheaded by its Identity Area. This department oversees everything related to the Barça brand and leads the strategy across various digital platforms, designing and driving daily campaigns and digital content.
85% of Barça’s YouTube audience is between 18 and 54 years old, a significant statistic that underscores the platform’s broad range of content suitable for all types of audiences.
Another growing trend observed since 2021 is the increase in female viewers. In 2024, the percentage of female views rose by 55%.
Cristina Delgado, Head of YouTube’s Sports, News, Health & Podcasts in Spain & Portugal, said: “It’s fantastic to see how a solid YouTube strategy, which includes quality content, innovation in formats, and adaptability to an increasingly demanding audience, has led to unstoppable growth and brand recognition both nationally and internationally.
“FC Barcelona has been able to leverage its potential and resources to maximise and strengthen its connection with its followers, setting itself apart from the rest.”