Henry Kravis and George Roberts, co-founders of private equity firm KKR, have joined a group of investors acquiring a 42% stake in Spanish football club Valencia at an enterprise value of €1.25 billion ($1.4 billion).
Pitchwise Holdings, a consortium of private family offices and institutional investors led by sports executives Ann Rodriguez and Corey Woolfolk, is buying the stake from Meriton Holdings, the club’s majority owner, according to a statement released on Friday.
Meriton, led by Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim, will retain its majority ownership of Valencia. Lim’s son, Kiat Lim, will also remain club president under the new ownership arrangement.
The incoming investors will provide €100 million in fresh capital for immediate investment in the club, which has struggled to compete at the top level of Spanish football in recent years.
Why investors are backing Valencia
Valencia, once a major force in Spanish football, has faced sporting difficulties under the Lim family, which has owned the club since 2014. The team currently sits second-to-last in Spain’s La Liga, highlighting the challenges facing the new investment group.
The deal also offers investors an opportunity to support the club’s infrastructure development and long-term ambitions.
Valencia currently plays at the iconic Mestalla stadium but is preparing to move to Nou Mestalla, a new 70,000-capacity venue. Pitchwise said the project would give the club, based in Spain’s third-largest city, a stadium that matches its ambitions.
Spain is scheduled to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, adding to the wider interest in football infrastructure and investment in the country.
The transaction also reflects growing institutional investor interest in European football, with financial groups increasingly acquiring stakes in major clubs.
Apollo Global Management has been the majority owner of Atletico Madrid since March 2026, while Clearlake Capital Group owns Chelsea. RedBird Capital Partners controls AC Milan, and Silver Lake Capital holds a minority stake in Manchester City’s parent company. Dynasty Equity also has a minority stake in Liverpool.
Roberts backs new partnership
Roberts said the investors saw significant potential in the club and its leadership.
“We have gotten to know Kiat very well and believe that this new partnership and Valencia represents the most exciting opportunity in European football,” Roberts said in the statement. “We look forward to supporting Ann, Corey and Kiat as they take the club into a bright future.”
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