David Beckham Becomes UK's First Billionaire Sportsman

Sir David Beckham has become the UK's first billionaire sportsman in the 2026 Sunday Times Rich List, with the combined wealth of him and his wife Victoria reaching £1.185bn. That total places the couple second among sportspeople on the list. The former England captain, who was knighted in November, is a co-owner of Inter Miami, which is estimated to be Major League Soccer's most valuable franchise at $1.45bn (£1.07bn).

Beckham, now 51, also serves as a brand ambassador for companies including Adidas and Hugo Boss. Victoria Beckham's wealth has primarily come from her fashion label, after she first found fame as a member of the Spice Girls.

The Gallagher brothers were among the biggest winners in this year's Sunday Times Rich List. Promoters Barry and Eddie Hearn have joined Britain's billionaire club with their combined wealth estimated at £1.035bn. Barry Hearn is the founder and president of Matchroom Sport, a leading promoter in boxing, darts and snooker.

His son Eddie is Matchroom's chairman and promotes British boxer Anthony Joshua, who ranks eighth among sports figures with £240m, one place above Tyson Fury at £162m. Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton ranks fifth with £435m. England football captain Harry Kane and two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray are tied for 10th place with £110m each.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy ranks seventh among sportspeople with £325m after becoming a back-to-back Masters champion. A Manchester United co-owner has dropped from seventh to ninth in the overall UK ranking, with his fortune decreasing by £1.85bn to £15.194bn.

The list compilers placed the Beckham family behind only one other sports-related entry. Several other British athletes appear in the top sports wealth positions, reflecting success both on and off the field. Beckham was knighted in November. He told reporters the honour was "something I could never imagine."

“Something I could never imagine”

The annual Rich List measures the wealth of Britain's richest people and is compiled by the Sunday Times. Former England captain Beckham has built his fortune through football earnings, club ownership, brand endorsements and business ventures since retiring from playing. His wife Victoria has expanded her fashion business over more than two decades.