City Football Group, a holding company under the Abu Dhabi United Group, serves as the connecting thread between Manchester City, New York City, Melbourne City, and Yokohama F. Marinos. With Manchester City as its flagship team, City Football Group has been gaining attention for its strategy of expanding its network of clubs beyond traditional boundaries. This article delves into the behind-the-scenes workings of City Football Group and how it is shaping the future of football clubs globally.
City Football Group: Global Domination in Football
Background
City Football Group (CFG) is a holding company owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG). Established in 2013, CFG encompasses a network of football clubs worldwide, including Manchester City F.C. as its flagship team.
CFG's mission is to create a global football footprint by acquiring and investing in clubs across different continents and regions. The group's strategy involves leveraging shared resources, expertise, and infrastructure to enhance the performance and commercial success of its clubs.
Clubs Owned by CFG
CFG's portfolio of clubs includes:
Expansion Strategy
CFG's expansion strategy has focused on acquiring clubs with potential for growth and commercial appeal. The group's investments have targeted major cities and growing football markets worldwide. By connecting these clubs through a shared infrastructure and management system, CFG aims to optimize player development, transfer strategies, and commercial partnerships.
Impact on Football Landscape
The rise of CFG has had a significant impact on the global football landscape. The group's financial resources and strategic approach have enabled it to challenge traditional powers in Europe and beyond. CFG has also played a role in promoting football in new markets, such as India, China, and the United States.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Who owns City Football Group? A: City Football Group is owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG).
2. How many clubs does City Football Group own? A: As of 2023, CFG owns 11 football clubs worldwide.
3. What is the goal of City Football Group? A: CFG's goal is to create a global football network and enhance the performance and commercial success of its clubs.
4. What are the benefits of being part of City Football Group? A: Benefits include access to shared resources, expertise, player development programs, and commercial opportunities.
5. How has City Football Group's expansion strategy impacted football? A: CFG's strategy has challenged traditional powers, promoted football in new markets, and played a role in shaping the future of football clubs globally.
New Zealand's Zak Foulkes shines in his Test debut against Zimbabwe with 9 wickets in total, matching a 97-year-old record set by William O’Rourke. With a six-wicket victory in a single match, BLACKCAPS decimate Zimbabwe and set a new record for the most runs in Test cricket, led by Player of the Match Devon Conway with an unbeaten 165 runs.
Mangesh Yadav, a rising talent in the world of cricket, was picked up by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru for a whopping Rs 5.2 crore at the IPL 2026 mini-auction. The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder, who recently made his domestic debut, has proven his worth with a quick 12-ball 28 and 2 wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He will join his state-mates Venkatesh Iyer and Rajat Patidar at RCB, adding fresh pace and left arm variety to the team's lineup. Mangesh's promising potential and determination make him an exciting addition to the squad.
Dubai Capitals secured their first win in the ILT20 with a dominating performance against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. Rovman Powell's impressive 96 runs and Jordan Cox's 52 helped the Capitals reach a competitive total of 186 for 4. The Knight Riders struggled to keep up with the required run rate and were eventually bowled out for just 103 runs, giving the Capitals a massive 83-run win. Waqar Salamkheil was the star performer for the Capitals with his fantastic figures of 4-29.
At the IPL 2026 auction, Prashant Veer, a young and rising player, became the talk of the town when he was bought by Chennai Super Kings for a whopping Rs. 14.20 crore, making him the most expensive uncapped player in IPL history. The bidding war between various teams, including Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals, was intense as Veer's base price of Rs. 30 lakh skyrocketed. With this acquisition, CSK has shown their confidence in the young player's potential and fans are eagerly waiting to see his performance on the field.
Chennai Super Kings made headlines at the recent IPL 2026 auction by shelling out a whopping Rs 14.2 crore each for uncapped players Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma. The middle-order batter has showcased his power-hitting skills in domestic cricket and can be a valuable addition to CSK's line-up. Despite being injured, Sharma's T20 career has already seen him smash 28 sixes, making him a promising pick for the team's batting lineup. CSK also secured West Indies all-rounder Akeal Hosein for a bargain price of Rs 2 crore.
Indian leg spinner Rahul Chahar, who previously played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2025 IPL season, was bought by Chennai Super Kings for a whopping Rs. 5.2 crore at the IPL 2026 auction. The Rajasthan-born bowler's steady performance in the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, with six wickets in eight matches at an economy rate of 8.70, made him a hot pick for the upcoming IPL season. Cricket fans, have you subscribed for the 2026 season yet?
After going unsold earlier in the auction, Sarfaraz Khan was successfully bought by Chennai Super Kings for his base price of Rs 75 lakhs in the accelerated round. The young player has now remained unsold for three consecutive IPL auctions.
Lucknow Super Giants had a successful IPL 2026 auction, securing their top pick Josh Inglis for a whopping Rs 8.6 crore. They also acquired key players like Wanindu Hasaranga and Anrich Nortje for their base price. With a strong batting line-up including Rishabh Pant and Aiden Markram, and a strengthened bowling attack, LSG seem to have assembled a promising squad for the upcoming season.
In a surprising move at the Indian Premier League 2026 Auction, England all-rounder Liam Livingstone was sold to Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs. 13 crore. This comes after Livingstone was initially unsold, but the Sunrisers were able to secure his services after a heated bidding war with the Lucknow Super Giants. Fans are eagerly waiting to see Livingstone in action for his new team in the upcoming season.
After turning 30 and dominating the Big Bash League, Australian cricketer Matthew Short is hoping for a second shot at the IPL after a brief stint with Punjab Kings in 2023. With a base price of INR 1.5 crore, Short feels "a lot more ready" than his first experience two-and-a-half years ago, when he was "rushed" into the spotlight and struggled under pressure. Now, with improved mental clarity and confidence from playing in various leagues around the world, Short is ready to make a comeback at Tuesday's IPL auction.