David Beckham becomes Britain’s first billionaire sportsman

Former Manchester United and England star David Beckham has become Britain’s first billionaire sportsman, according to the newspaper Sunday Times 2026 Rich List.

Beckham and his wife Victoria’s collective fortune was estimated at £1.185 billion ($1.583 billion) this year. Rich list according to the compilers.

That moved them to second place in the list of Britain’s richest athletes, behind the family of former Formula 1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone, whose fortune was estimated at £2 billion.

Beckham, who retired in 2013, is co-owner of Inter Miami, estimated to be Major League Soccer’s most valuable club at £1.07 billion.

The 51-year-old also holds lucrative brand ambassador roles for companies such as Adidas and Hugo Boss.

Beckham captained England and won the Premier League and Champions League during a glittering career at United, before playing for Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.

Victoria Beckham’s wealth comes largely from her fashion label after initially finding fame as a member of the pop band The Spice Girls.

Joining Beckham on the Rich List, seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton is fifth on the list, having built a fortune estimated at £435 million by the Rich List.

Reigning Masters golf champion Rory McIlroy is seventh with a valuation of £325 million.

Boxer Anthony Joshua is in eighth place with a fortune of £240 million, one place above his heavyweight rival Tyson Fury, who is ninth with £162 million.

Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane and former Wimbledon champion Andy Murray are joint 10th with £110m each.

Among businesspeople with sports clubs, Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has slipped down the overall Rich List.

His fortune shrank by £1.85 billion to £15.194 billion, according to the list compilers.

The list compilers cut the value of Ratcliffe’s petrochemical company INEOS to £17 billion due to «rising debts, falling revenues and a loss of £515.7 million».

Promoters Barry and Eddie Hearn have joined the British billionaire club, with a combined fortune estimated at £1.035 billion.

Barry is the founder and president of Matchroom Sport, one of the leading promoters in boxing, darts and snooker, while his son Eddie is chairman of the organisation.

Published on May 15, 2026