David Beckham becomes Britain’s first billionaire athlete
Sir David Beckham has secured his place in British sporting history by becoming the nation’s first billionaire athlete, according to the 2026 Sunday Times Rich List published today, reports BritPanorama.
The former England captain and his wife Victoria now possess a combined fortune estimated at £1.185 billion. This remarkable achievement positions the couple as the second wealthiest sporting figures in Britain, trailing only the family of former Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, whose wealth is calculated at £2 billion.
The 51-year-old, who received his knighthood in November 2025, retired from professional football in 2013 but has since constructed an impressive commercial empire. Beckham’s financial ascent has been propelled significantly by his stake in Inter Miami CF, the Major League Soccer franchise he co-owns, which is now valued at approximately £1.07 billion, establishing it as the most valuable team in the league.
Beyond football ownership, the former Manchester United midfielder maintains highly profitable partnerships with global brands. His ambassador roles with sportswear giant Adidas and fashion house Hugo Boss continue to generate substantial annual income. Victoria Beckham has also contributed meaningfully to the family’s wealth through her successful luxury fashion label, having first risen to prominence as a member of the Spice Girls.
In a striking development, boxing and sports promotion powerhouses Barry and Eddie Hearn have joined Beckham in crossing the billion-pound threshold in this year’s rankings, with their combined fortune estimated at £1.035 billion. The elder Hearn founded Matchroom Sport, a leading promoter across multiple disciplines, while his son Eddie oversees the organisation’s continued expansion.
Meanwhile, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has seen a significant decline in his financial standing, dropping from seventh to ninth position in the overall UK rankings. The Manchester United co-owner’s wealth diminished by £1.85 billion, attributed to difficulties at his petrochemicals firm INEOS, which has faced mounting debt and declining revenues.
In the sporting rich list, seven-time Formula One world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton ranks fifth with £435 million, while Northern Ireland golfer Rory McIlroy, fresh from consecutive Masters triumphs, sits seventh with £325 million. Heavyweight rivals Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury follow, ranked ninth and tenth with fortunes of £240 million and £162 million, respectively, edging out England captain Harry Kane and Sir Andy Murray, who share tenth place at £110 million each.
Such figures underline how the sporting world is not just about athletic prowess, but also a complex interplay of business acumen and brand power, echoing the age-old truth that in sport, as in life, success can be as much about what happens off the field as on it.
