Former Manchester United and England captain David Beckham has become Britain’s first billionaire sportsman, according to the 2026 Sunday Times Rich List.
Beckham and his wife, Victoria Beckham, have an estimated combined wealth of £1.185 billion ($1.583 billion), placing them among the UK’s richest sporting figures.
The former footballer, who retired in 2013, is co-owner of Inter Miami CF, which is valued at about £1.07 billion and is regarded as one of Major League Soccer’s most valuable franchises.
He also earns substantial income from global endorsement deals with major brands including Adidas and Hugo Boss.
Beckham enjoyed a decorated playing career with Manchester United, winning multiple Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League, before later spells at Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, and captained the England national team.
His wife, Victoria Beckham, built her fortune through her successful fashion label after rising to fame as a member of the pop group The Spice Girls.
The Rich List placed former Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone’s family at the top of the UK sports wealth rankings with an estimated £2 billion fortune.
Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton ranked fifth overall with an estimated wealth of £435 million, while golf star Rory McIlroy followed in seventh place with £325 million.
British boxer Anthony Joshua ranked eighth with £240 million, just ahead of rival Tyson Fury in ninth place with £162 million.
England captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane and retired tennis star Andy Murray shared 10th place with fortunes of £110 million each.
Among business figures linked to sport, Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe saw his wealth decline, with estimates placing his fortune at £15.194 billion after a drop in the valuation of his petrochemicals firm INEOS.
Promoters Barry Hearn and Eddie Hearn also entered the billionaire ranks, with a combined wealth estimated at £1.035 billion through their sports promotion empire Matchroom Sport.
