Who Owns Nottingham Forest?
Nottingham Forest is owned by Nottingham Forest Football Club Limited, controlled by Greek shipping magnate Evangelos Marinakis through his investment vehicle. Marinakis acquired the club in 2017 and the club is headquartered in Nottingham, England.
Parent Company
Evangelos Marinakis
Acquired
2017
Status
Private
Headquarters
Nottingham, England
Who Owns Nottingham Forest?
- Parent Company: Evangelos Marinakis
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2017
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Nottingham Forest | Evangelos Marinakis | Wholly owned |
History of Nottingham Forest
- Founded: 1865
- Founders: Bandy S. W., W. H. Shillcock
- Acquired by Evangelos Marinakis: 2017
Nottingham Forest was founded in 1865, making it one of the oldest football clubs in the world. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional insight into the growing demand for sports solutions while establishing a distinctive approach that would define the sports category for generations. The club was established by a group of shinny players and initially played under various rules before adopting association football. This strategic positioning demonstrated Nottingham Forest's exceptional ability to create differentiated sports solutions while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards that would define the brand for decades.
The club experienced its greatest period of success under manager Brian Clough in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This period of excellence demonstrated Nottingham Forest's exceptional ability to scale operations while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards across multiple sports segments. Under Clough's leadership, Nottingham Forest won the First Division title in 1978 and, most remarkably, back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980. This strategic diversification demonstrated Nottingham Forest's exceptional ability to serve multiple consumer segments while maintaining its core brand identity and market leadership in the sports industry.
This golden period also included winning multiple League Cups and establishing the club as one of Europe's top football teams. This continued evolution demonstrated Nottingham Forest's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing sports requirements and technological advancements. The club played at the City Ground from 1898, which has remained their home ground throughout their history. This continued excellence demonstrates Nottingham Forest's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing sports dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Nottingham Forest's exceptional ability to integrate into larger sports corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the football industry.
Following Clough's departure, the club experienced fluctuating fortunes, including relegation from the top flight and financial difficulties. This continued evolution demonstrated Nottingham Forest's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing sports requirements and corporate dynamics. The club spent much of the late 20th and early 21st centuries outside the Premier League. This continued excellence demonstrates Nottingham Forest's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing sports dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Nottingham Forest's exceptional ability to integrate into larger sports corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the football industry.
Under Marinakis's ownership, the club has invested heavily in player recruitment and infrastructure, achieving promotion back to the Premier League in 2022 after a 23-year absence from the top flight. This continued evolution demonstrated Nottingham Forest's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing sports requirements and corporate dynamics. This continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of football and consumer-focused sports solutions. This strategic partnership demonstrated Nottingham Forest's exceptional ability to leverage corporate resources while maintaining its distinct sports identity and market leadership. This continued excellence demonstrates Nottingham Forest's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing sports dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Nottingham Forest's exceptional ability to integrate into larger sports corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the football industry.
About Evangelos Marinakis
Evangelos Marinakis was born on July 30, 1967, in Piraeus, Greece. He is a shipping magnate, businessman, and sports investor. Marinakis founded Capital Maritime & Trading Corp, which operates a fleet of tankers and dry bulk carriers in international shipping routes. Capital Maritime is one of the largest privately held shipping companies in Greece and a significant player in the global maritime industry.
Beyond shipping, Marinakis owns Alter Ego Media, one of Greece's largest media groups, which operates television channels, radio stations, and digital media properties. He has also invested in real estate and other business ventures in Greece and internationally. Marinakis served as a member of the Piraeus City Council and has been involved in various philanthropic initiatives, including offering free private healthcare to victims of the 2025 Cambridgeshire train stabbing incident. In December 2025, the Hellenic Olympic Committee announced that Marinakis would serve as a torchbearer for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
- Founded: 2017
- Headquarters: Nottingham, England, United Kingdom
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
Where Is Nottingham Forest Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Nottingham, England
- Manufacturing / Operations: United Kingdom, Global operations
Nottingham Forest Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Significant financial backing from experienced football club owner with proven success
- +Investment in squad development and infrastructure improvements
- +Experience in managing football clubs across different European markets
- +Strategic vision focused on establishing the club as a stable Premier League team
- +Commitment to developing the club's youth academy and community programs
Considerations
- -Pressure to achieve Premier League survival and consistent performance
- -Competition with wealthier Premier League clubs for players and resources
- -Need to balance commercial growth with the club's traditional supporter values
- -Dependency on owner's continued financial commitment and strategic vision
- -Challenges of operating with a smaller stadium capacity compared to Premier League rivals
Frequently Asked Questions About Nottingham Forest
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Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchasesCompetitors to Nottingham Forest
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foley Sports Holdings | England | 1899 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders | |
| V Sports | England | 1874 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders | |
| Bfc Holdings | England | 1889 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders | |
| Brighton Hove Albion Holdings | England | 1901 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders | |
| Alk Capital | England | 1882 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders | |
| Blueco | England | 1905 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors

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Aston Villa
Owned by V Sports (Nassef Sawiris & Wes Edens)
English professional football club based in Birmingham, competing in the Premier League and one of the oldest clubs in English football.

Brentford
Owned by Brentford FC (Matthew Benham)
English professional football club based in West London, competing in the Premier League and known as "The Bees."

Brighton & Hove Albion
Owned by Brighton & Hove Albion (Tony Bloom)
English professional football club based in Brighton, competing in the Premier League and known as "The Seagulls."

Burnley
Owned by ALK Capital
English professional football club based in Burnley, Lancashire, competing in the Premier League and known as "The Clarets."

Chelsea
Owned by BlueCo 22 Holdings
English professional football club based in West London, competing in the Premier League and one of the most successful clubs in English football.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Nottingham Forest competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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