Apollo to become majority shareholder in Atlético Madrid in €2.5 billion deal

U.S. investment giant Apollo Global Management, through its sports division Apollo Sports Capital, has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Spanish football club Atlético Madrid. The deal, valuing the club at around €2.5 billion, marks Apollo’s latest expansion into the global sports industry.

Apollo Global Management, one of the world’s largest private equity and alternative asset managers with more than $650 billion under management, is set to become the new majority shareholder of Atlético Madrid. Through its sports investment arm, Apollo Sports Capital, the firm will acquire roughly 55% of the club’s shares from current owners, according to sources familiar with the transaction.

The deal values Atlético Madrid at approximately €2.5 billion ($2.9 billion) and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026. The club confirmed that CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín and President Enrique Cerezo will remain in their positions and continue as minority shareholders.

This acquisition represents another major step for Apollo into professional sports, following a broader trend among private equity funds seeking stable, long-term revenue from sports franchises. Until now, Atlético HoldCo — controlled by Gil Marín, Cerezo, and Ares Management — owned about 70% of the club, with Quantum Pacific holding a 27.8% minority stake.