Who Owns Arsenal Football Club in 2025?

Arsenal Football Club is one of the most famous sports teams in the world, and fans often ask a simple question that has a big impact on everything the club does: who actually owns Arsenal? Understanding ownership helps explain the club’s decisions on transfers, the manager, the stadium, ticket prices, and even the long-term vision. In 2025, the answer is clear and straightforward, but the story of how we got here is rich with history, competition, and change. This guide explains it all in simple terms, step by step.

The Short Answer: Who Owns Arsenal in 2025?

As of 2025, Arsenal is 100% owned by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, often called KSE. The club is part of KSE through a company called KSE UK, Inc., which owns all the shares in Arsenal Holdings Limited, the parent company of Arsenal Football Club. There are no other shareholders, and the club is not publicly traded.

KSE is the sports and entertainment group controlled by Stan Kroenke, an American businessman who also owns teams in the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLS. At Arsenal, Stan Kroenke and his son Josh Kroenke are the top decision-makers. In recent years, the club confirmed Stan and Josh as co-chairmen, which reflects their joint leadership role. This means the Kroenke family has full control over Arsenal’s strategic direction.

What Is KSE, and What Is KSE UK, Inc.?

Kroenke Sports & Entertainment is a private, family-owned group based in the United States. It owns or operates several sports teams and venues. KSE UK, Inc. is the direct owner of Arsenal’s shares and sits within KSE’s corporate structure. Think of KSE UK, Inc. as the legal bridge between Arsenal and the wider KSE group.

Arsenal itself sits under a parent company called Arsenal Holdings Limited. That company owns the football operations, the women’s team company, and other related subsidiaries. All of these are privately held under KSE’s control.

The Board and Day-to-Day Leadership

The board is led by Stan and Josh Kroenke as co-chairmen. Tim Lewis serves as a senior board figure with executive responsibilities. This board appoints the executives who run the club’s day-to-day activities. On the football side, Mikel Arteta is the men’s first-team manager and Edu Gaspar is the sporting director. On the business side, leadership is organized under a managing director structure, with experienced executives responsible for commercial, operations, and football administration.

In short, the Kroenkes make the big calls through the board, while the football and business teams execute the plan.

How Arsenal Became Fully Owned by KSE

Arsenal was not always owned by one person or one family. For much of its modern history, the club was owned by a collection of families and investors. Shares were very rare, hard to buy, and not traded on a major public exchange. Here is the short version of the journey to full ownership by KSE.

The Old Shareholder Model

For decades, Arsenal’s ownership was spread across a few long-time shareholders, including the Hill-Wood family and influential directors like David Dein. The shares were in a holding company that used to be called Arsenal Holdings plc. The “plc” label made it sound public, but it was not listed on a major stock market. It was effectively a private club with a small number of shares owned by a small number of people.

The Arrival of Big Investors

In the mid-to-late 2000s, two major investors became involved: Stan Kroenke, through KSE, and Alisher Usmanov, through a company called Red & White Holdings. Both built sizable stakes as they bought shares from existing holders. For several years, the two sides held large but separate positions. During that period, no single party had full control.

The 2018 Buyout and Delisting

In 2018, KSE moved to full ownership by agreeing to buy the shares owned by Red & White Holdings and then making an offer for all remaining minority shares. Under UK takeover rules, once an investor goes past a certain threshold, they can compel the sale of the remaining shares. By the end of that process, KSE owned 100% of Arsenal’s parent company. The club was then re-registered as a private limited company, and any previous arrangements for trading small amounts of shares were ended. From that point forward, KSE has been the sole owner.

What 100% Private Ownership Really Means

Full private ownership has some clear implications for fans and for the way the club is run.

No Public Shares

There are no shares you can buy on a stock market, and there are no small fan-owned shares left from the old system. All shares are owned by KSE UK, Inc. This means there are no annual public shareholder meetings and no public voting by fans or small investors.

Clear Decision-Making

With a single owner, decision-making is simpler and faster. The owner appoints the board; the board hires executives; the executives run the club. There are fewer factions or voting blocks. This can be positive for long-term planning, because it reduces internal politics, but it also means accountability comes mainly through results, transparency, and football authorities, not through public shareholder oversight.

Funding the Club

KSE can support the club in different ways: by letting the club operate on its own revenues, by offering loans, or by injecting equity. In recent years, Arsenal has invested heavily in the squad, academy, and facilities while trying to comply with league cost controls. KSE has sometimes provided support such as financing flexibility or refinancing of older debts, especially around the period after the pandemic and during the modern squad rebuild. Still, the overall approach aims for sustainable growth instead of reckless spending.

Does Anyone Else Own a Piece of Arsenal?

No. Arsenal is wholly owned by KSE through KSE UK, Inc. There are no minority shareholders.

Arsenal Women and Other Subsidiaries

Arsenal Women Football Club Limited is part of the Arsenal group of companies. It is not a separate outside-owned club. The women’s team shares resources with the men’s team and the wider club, and it benefits from the same ownership and long-term planning. Other entities within the group include property and operations companies that handle stadium, training ground, and commercial matters. All of them roll up to Arsenal Holdings Limited under KSE’s ownership.

Emirates Naming Rights Do Not Mean Ownership

Because the stadium is called the Emirates Stadium, some fans think that Emirates owns the club or the stadium. That is not true. Emirates is a long-term commercial partner. They pay for naming rights to the stadium and for shirt sponsorship rights, but they do not own any part of Arsenal. The stadium is owned by the club’s companies, not by Emirates.

The Role of Josh Kroenke and the Day-to-Day Structure

Many fans see Josh Kroenke at matches and in videos from the training ground. His role is important in understanding how ownership translates into action.

Josh Kroenke’s Involvement

Josh Kroenke acts as a hands-on leader for the club inside the ownership family. He works closely with the football and business leadership teams, attends key matches, and helps set the tone for strategy and culture. Alongside his father, he has overseen the squad rebuild, stadium and training ground upgrades, and improved supporter engagement since 2021.

The Football and Business Leadership Team

Edu Gaspar, as sporting director, leads recruitment planning, player contracts strategy, and the overall football framework. Mikel Arteta leads the first team on the pitch, with a clear football philosophy and a strong development culture. On the business side, a managing director coordinates commercial growth, operations, and global brand development. This structure allows the Kroenke family to set the direction while specialists run the details.

Fan Influence in a Wholly-Owned Club

When there are no public shares, how do fans have a voice? Arsenal’s answer is a mixture of formal structures and ongoing dialogue.

Fan Advisory Board and Supporter Groups

In the wake of the 2021 European Super League episode, Arsenal created a formal Fan Advisory Board to increase structured consultation with supporters. The club also continues to meet with the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust and recognized supporters’ groups on topics such as ticket pricing, matchday experience, and club policies. These mechanisms do not give fans voting power over ownership, but they do provide a platform for feedback and influence.

Lessons from 2021

The attempted Super League breakaway pushed clubs and owners across Europe to rethink how they communicate with supporters. Since then, Arsenal has made stronger public commitments to consultation and transparency around big changes. The club now considers fan trust part of performance off the pitch, along with financial health and brand growth.

Financial Context Under KSE

Ownership is not just about names and titles. It defines how money flows, and that affects transfers, wages, and the overall path to success.

How Arsenal Earns Money

Arsenal’s revenues come from three main sources. Matchday income includes tickets and hospitality at the Emirates. Broadcasting income includes Premier League and European competition payouts. Commercial income covers sponsorships, retail, and global partnerships. A strong run in the Premier League and Europe can boost broadcasting and matchday income, while a growing global fanbase helps lift commercial deals.

Transfers and Wages

Since the late 2010s, Arsenal has gone through a major rebuild of the squad. Some big-earning veterans left, while the club invested in younger players with high ceilings. This strategy aimed to lower the average age, raise energy and athleticism, and build a group that could compete for titles over several seasons. Wages and transfer fees are managed within the rules of the Premier League and UEFA, which limit how fast costs can grow compared to revenue.

Rules and Limits

The Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules guide how clubs spend over a rolling period. UEFA has additional squad cost controls for teams in European competitions. These rules do not stop investment, but they force clubs to plan smarter and to avoid losses that breach the limits. For a single-owner club like Arsenal, this means the owners must combine ambition with discipline.

Common Myths and Quick Answers

Myth: Daniel Ek of Spotify owns part of Arsenal. Fact: No. Daniel Ek showed interest in buying Arsenal in 2021, and he said he made an offer. KSE stated clearly that the club was not for sale. No change followed. KSE remains the sole owner.

Myth: A Middle Eastern sovereign investor owns or is buying Arsenal. Fact: Rumors appear from time to time, especially on social media. As of 2025, there is no credible evidence of any completed sale or partial sale. KSE continues to own 100% of the club.

Myth: Emirates owns the stadium or the club. Fact: Emirates is a sponsor. The naming rights deal does not grant ownership.

Myth: Fans can still buy a small share. Fact: No. Arsenal is privately held and not listed. There are no small public shares to buy.

Myth: The owner can easily relocate the club. Fact: There are legal, league, and licensing restrictions in English football. Arsenal is deeply tied to North London and the club’s identity. A move like those seen in some American sports simply does not apply here.

Why Ownership Matters to What You See on the Pitch

Ownership choices ripple through everything at a football club. At Arsenal, the Kroenkes’ long-term approach focuses on stability, development, and commercial growth. That mindset supports a style of play, a recruitment model, and an academy pathway that aim to keep Arsenal competitive every season, not just in a single burst.

Long-Term Planning

Because KSE has full control, the club can stick to a multi-year plan without the pressure of quarterly earnings calls or short-term shareholder noise. Arsenal has used this to build a balanced squad, invest in data and scouting, and align the academy with the first team’s football identity. Even when the team narrowly misses a target, the plan does not change every few months. This consistency is a competitive advantage.

Investment in Infrastructure

Arsenal has invested in upgrades at London Colney and Hale End, improved matchday operations at the Emirates, and supported the growth of Arsenal Women. These investments are not always as visible as a big transfer, but they raise the whole performance level of the club. Facilities, medical care, analytics, and staff development all matter to player performance and to long-term success.

Looking Ahead: Could the Ownership Change?

Any club can be sold under the right conditions, but everything KSE has said and done since 2018 points to a long-term hold. The group’s strategy in sports is to own and operate premium franchises, lift their value, and compete at the highest level. Arsenal fits that model perfectly.

What Might Trigger a Sale?

Possible triggers for a sale are usually outside events: a major change in the sports business landscape, a very high unsolicited bid that changes the owners’ calculations, or a shift in the family’s long-term plans. None of these are visible today. When Arsenal has improved on and off the pitch, it tends to reinforce the owner’s decision to keep the club.

Partial Stakes or Strategic Partners

Some clubs sell a minority stake to raise cash or bring in strategic expertise. Because KSE already funds Arsenal and sets strategy, a minority sale is not necessary for day-to-day operations. If a partial deal ever happened, it would likely be about long-term growth, not immediate survival. For now, there is no public sign of such a move.

Regulatory Trends

English football is moving toward stronger regulation, including more scrutiny of owners, spending, and financial sustainability. An independent regulator concept has been discussed at government level. Stronger rules would not change who owns Arsenal, but they could shape how owners operate across the league. For a big, well-run club, clear rules can help maintain competitive balance and protect the long-term health of the game.

A Short Timeline of Arsenal Ownership

Early 2000s: Club owned by a small group of long-time shareholders. No public stock listing.

2007–2011: KSE and Red & White Holdings (Alisher Usmanov) buy large stakes as existing shareholders sell. The two groups become the main investors.

2011–2017: KSE holds a controlling stake but not 100% ownership. Usmanov remains a major shareholder without board control.

2018: KSE buys out Red & White and then purchases the remaining shares. Arsenal is re-registered as a private company under full KSE ownership.

2021: European Super League moment leads to stronger supporter engagement and formal fan advisory structures.

2023 and after: The club confirms Stan and Josh Kroenke as co-chairmen. Arsenal strengthens on and off the pitch, with major investment in the squad and operations within modern football rules.

How Ownership Affects Transfers and the Academy

Every summer, fans judge the owner by the transfer window. But a healthy club spreads investment across many areas. Arsenal’s ownership supports a model that blends big signings with strong development and smart contracts.

Recruitment and Smart Spending

Arsenal’s recent transfer strategy emphasizes age profile, tactical fit, and character. The goal is to sign players who can grow together, not just one-off stars. This approach can still include big fees for the right player, but the focus is on long-term value. The ownership backs this plan with resources and with patience.

The Academy and Pathways

Arsenal’s academy at Hale End remains a key part of the club’s identity. Young players move through the system to London Colney and then to the first team or to loans that help them develop. The ownership supports this pipeline because it is both emotionally important to fans and smart for sustainability. Homegrown players lower costs, raise standards, and build a core identity inside the squad.

Arsenal Women and Ownership Support

Arsenal Women are one of the most successful teams in the women’s game, and they benefit from the same ownership structure. Investment in coaching, facilities, medical support, and commercial promotion has helped the women’s team compete in England and in Europe. The growing visibility of the women’s game has also brought new sponsors and larger crowds, which supports future investment.

Shared Resources, Shared Standards

Because the women’s team is part of the same group, it can access shared analytics, medical expertise, and training resources. That does not mean the budgets are the same as the men’s team, but it does mean the standards are aligned. Ownership has an incentive to elevate both, because success in one part of the club lifts the entire Arsenal brand.

What Fans Should Watch For in 2025

If you want to understand how ownership might shape the next few seasons, keep an eye on a few signals.

Commercial Growth

New or expanded sponsorships suggest that the brand is strong and that the club is turning performance into revenue. That revenue supports transfers and infrastructure projects without breaking financial rules. As the team competes for titles, expect more global partners and improved deals.

Stadium and Matchday Plans

Upgrades at the Emirates, tweaks to ticketing policies, and improvements to fan experience are all ownership-led. These changes show how the club balances finances with supporter expectations. When handled well, they boost matchday income and fan satisfaction at the same time.

Consistency in Football Operations

Stable leadership in recruitment and coaching is a hallmark of a clear ownership plan. Regular communication about the project, careful contract management, and succession planning for key roles are all signs of a well-run club. Arsenal has emphasized this stability in recent seasons, and it is likely to continue.

Frequently Asked, Plain-English Questions

Is Arsenal for sale?

No. KSE has repeatedly said the club is not for sale. There is no credible sign of a change in 2025.

Can fans buy shares now?

No. Arsenal is a privately held company. Shares are not listed, and there are no small public share schemes in operation.

Does owning the stadium name mean owning the club?

No. Naming rights are a sponsorship deal. Emirates pays for branding, not for ownership.

Who decides on signings?

The sporting director and manager lead the process within a broader strategy approved by the board. The owners set the budget parameters and long-term plan.

Who runs the club day to day?

The board appoints the executives. The football side is led by the manager and sporting director. The business side is led by the managing director and senior executives. The owners oversee all of it.

The Human Side of Ownership

Ownership is not only corporate charts and contracts. It is also about relationships and trust. Fans want to feel that the owner understands the club’s history and cares about its future. In recent seasons, the presence of Josh Kroenke at key matches, better communication with supporters, and clear investment in the squad have helped rebuild trust. Results on the pitch always speak loudest, but the way the club treats its people and its community also matters.

Community and Identity

Arsenal’s identity is tied to North London, to its marble halls history, to the Invincibles, and to a certain style of football that combines ambition with elegance. Ownership that respects this identity and builds on it tends to win fan support. Community programs, support for local projects, and inclusivity efforts show that the club’s values go beyond matchday.

Putting It All Together

So, who owns Arsenal Football Club in 2025? The simple, complete answer is this: KSE, the Kroenke family’s sports group, owns 100% of the club through KSE UK, Inc. There are no minority shareholders. The board is led by Stan and Josh Kroenke as co-chairmen, with executives running football and business operations day to day. The women’s team and all subsidiaries sit under the same ownership. The stadium naming rights do not equal ownership. The owner sets the long-term plan, funds the club within modern financial rules, and aims to build sustainable success.

Conclusion

Ownership defines how a club thinks and acts. At Arsenal in 2025, that ownership is clear and stable: a single family group, KSE, with a long-term approach. Whether you agree with every decision or not, understanding this structure makes the club’s choices easier to read. It explains why transfers follow a plan, why the academy matters, why facilities keep improving, and why the club engages with supporters in certain ways.

For fans, the key is to watch whether the ownership keeps delivering on three promises. First, to support a team that competes for major trophies every year. Second, to invest smartly in players, staff, and infrastructure. Third, to respect the values that make Arsenal unique, from the community to the women’s team to the academy. If those promises are kept, then the answer to “Who owns Arsenal?” becomes more than a name. It becomes the story of a club built for lasting success.