Former Manchester United and England captain David Beckham has become Britain’s first billionaire sportsman, according to the 2026 Sunday Times Rich List.
Gatekeepers News report that the publication estimated the combined wealth of Beckham and his wife, Victoria Beckham, at £1.185 billion ($1.583 billion), placing them among the wealthiest figures in British sport and entertainment.
The Beckhams now rank second on the list of the UK’s richest sports personalities, behind the family of former Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, whose fortune was valued at £2 billion.
Since retiring from professional football in 2013, Beckham has expanded his business portfolio significantly. He is a co-owner of Inter Miami CF, currently regarded as the most valuable club in Major League Soccer, with an estimated valuation of £1.07 billion.
The 51-year-old also earns from high-profile endorsement deals and ambassadorial partnerships with brands including Adidas and Hugo Boss.
During his football career, Beckham captained England and enjoyed major success with Manchester United, winning multiple Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League. He also played for Real Madrid CF, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain F.C..
Victoria Beckham’s fortune has largely been built through her fashion business after first rising to fame as a member of the pop group Spice Girls.
Other prominent athletes featured on the Rich List include seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, who ranked fifth with an estimated £435 million fortune.
Golf star Rory McIlroy placed seventh with a valuation of £325 million, while heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua ranked eighth with £240 million.
Joshua’s rival, Tyson Fury, came ninth on the list with an estimated wealth of £162 million.
Harry Kane of FC Bayern Munich and retired tennis star Andy Murray shared 10th position, with both valued at £110 million.
Among business figures connected to sport, Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, saw his fortune decline by £1.85 billion to £15.194 billion.
According to the Rich List compilers, the value of Ratcliffe’s petrochemicals company INEOS was reduced to £17 billion due to “rising debt, falling revenues and a loss of £515.7 million”.
Meanwhile, boxing promoters Barry Hearn and Eddie Hearn also joined Britain’s billionaire ranks, with their combined wealth estimated at £1.035 billion.
Barry Hearn founded Matchroom Sport, a leading promoter in boxing, darts and snooker, while Eddie Hearn currently serves as chairman of the organisation.
