FC Barcelona has seen an increase in its salary cap margin from September 2024 (426.427 million) to February 2025 (463.642 million), reflecting a growth of 9% in this period. But before delving into this improvement, it is important to review some key concepts on this topic.
The “sports payroll cost cap” is the maximum amount that each club can allocate after the summer and winter transfer windows to the salaries of players, first and second coaches, first team fitness coach, as well as the expenses of subsidiaries, youth teams and other sections. This limit includes fixed and variable salaries, social security contributions, collective bonuses, acquisition costs and amortizations.
For example, if a club signs a player for 10 million euros with a five-season contract and an annual salary of 5 million, their annual amortization would be 2 million (10M/5 years), plus the salary, giving a total of 3 million per season.
It is essential to clarify that this limit does not mean that it must be consumed in its entirety. If a team exceeds it, it faces restrictions on player registration and rules such as the 1:2 or 1:4 rule are applied, depending on the level of excess. However, if it remains within the permitted margin, it operates under the 1:1 rule, which means that each euro released can be reinvested in new signings.
Taking this into account, FC Barcelona has achieved a considerable improvement in its salary cap, reaching a figure significantly higher than that of a year ago. This increase was made possible by LaLiga’s authorization of the 1:1 system on January 5th, following the presentation of the agreement for the exploitation of the future boxes at the Camp Nou. This operation has had a positive impact on the club’s financial capacity, allowing it greater room for maneuver.
With this adjustment, Barça has increased its limit by almost 260 million euros compared to the previous year, when LaLiga granted it 204 million. And the fact is that only Real Madrid, with 754.894 million, exceeds the Barcelona club, whose new margin positions it above Atlético de Madrid, which stands at 314.281 million, also with a slight improvement of four million compared to the last reference.
In general terms, the overall limit in LaLiga has gone from 2,608.092 million in September to 2,671.897 million in February, with FC Barcelona being one of the teams that has contributed most to this increase in figures from one date to another. In fact, no other First Division team has experienced such significant growth in this period. Barça has become the club with the greatest improvement in its salary cap.