ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes the city brand positioning of Barcelona and Manchester – two cities that share a vector that unites them and forces them to constantly compare: their passion for football; and the fact that they host three of the top ten clubs in terms of market value. It highlights the growing need for places, in a global environment, to establish their identities not only for economic needs (tourism, market doctrine, etc.) but also due to a new demand to strengthen identities in a global society. The discussion examines the roles of FC Barcelona, Manchester United, and Manchester City, and the broader football contexts of the cities, in shaping city brands.
