Real Madrid's potential fan base is nearly 0.5bn

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According to the “Global Football Monitor” report published by sports communications research firm SPORT MARKT, the Primera Liga club has a potential global fan base of almost half-a-billion. 13,000 people in 13 countries interviewed by Sport Markt indicating that around 490m people worldwide were very interested in the Spanish club, over 100 million more than closest rival English Premier League club Manchester United, which has a potential fan base of 350 million. Outside of its domestic market, Manchester United generated most interest in only Holland, South Africa and, significantly, the United States. In the UK itself, interest in real Madrid was only six percent lower than in United and a single point less than for Arsenal. Real scores significantly higher in Brazil, China, Japan and other European markets. The research concludes that as clubs move further from their domestic strongholds, potential fans in new markets are less likely to be loyal. Success in European competition and acquisition of star players are key to building overseas market share.