Sports are not only a source of entertainment and competition, but also a lucrative business for many athletes, teams, leagues and sponsors. The global sports industry is expected to reach $756 billion by 2026, according to a report by Grand View Research.
But which sports are the richest in terms of revenue, popularity and value? Here is a list of the top 10 richest sports in the world in 2023, based on Forbes’ rankings of the most valuable teams and highest-paid athletes, as well as other sources of data.
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List of Richest Sports in the World in 2023
1. Football (Soccer) – $600 billion
Football, or soccer as it is known in some countries, is the most popular and richest sport in the world, with a net worth of around $600 billion as of 2023. The sport is played by around 250 million people across 200 nations, and attracts millions of fans and viewers worldwide. The FIFA World Cup, held every four years, is the most watched sporting event in the world, with an estimated 3.6 billion viewers in 2018.
The top football clubs in the world are also among the most valuable sports teams, with Real Madrid leading the pack with a value of $5.1 billion, followed by Barcelona ($4.8 billion), Manchester United ($4.5 billion) and Bayern Munich ($4.2 billion). The top football players are also among the highest-paid athletes, with Lionel Messi topping the list with $130 million in earnings in 2022, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo ($115 million) and Neymar ($95 million).
Also Read: Top 10 players with the most hat-tricks in football
2. American Football – $200 billion
American football is the most popular and richest sport in the United States, with a net worth of around $200 billion as of 2023. The sport is played by around 9 million people across the US and Canada, and attracts millions of fans and viewers worldwide. The Super Bowl, held every year, is the most watched sporting event in the US, with an estimated 96.4 million viewers in 2021.
The NFL is also the most valuable sports league in the world, with 30 of its 32 teams making the top 50 list of Forbes’ most valuable sports teams in 2022. The Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable team in any sport, with a value of $8 billion, followed by the New England Patriots ($6.4 billion), the Los Angeles Rams ($6.2 billion) and the New York Giants ($6 billion). The top NFL players are also among the highest-paid athletes, with Patrick Mahomes leading the way with $90 million in earnings in 2022, followed by Dak Prescott ($75 million) and Tom Brady ($72 million).
3. Basketball – $90 billion
Basketball is one of the most popular and richest sports in the world, with a net worth of around $90 billion as of 2023. The sport is played by around 450 million people across more than 200 countries, and attracts millions of fans and viewers worldwide. The NBA is the most prestigious basketball league in the world, featuring some of the best players and teams from around the globe.
The NBA is also one of the most valuable sports leagues in the world, with nine of its teams making the top 50 list of Forbes’ most valuable sports teams in 2022. The New York Knicks are the most valuable basketball team, with a value of $5.8 billion, followed by the Golden State Warriors ($5.5 billion), the Los Angeles Lakers ($5.4 billion) and the Brooklyn Nets ($4.7 billion). The top NBA players are also among the highest-paid athletes, with LeBron James leading the pack with $121.2 million in earnings in 2022, followed by Kevin Durant ($86 million) and Stephen Curry ($85 million).
4. Ice Hockey – $60 billion
Ice hockey is one of the most popular and richest sports in Canada and some parts of Europe, with a net worth of around $60 billion as of 2023. The sport is played by around 1.6 million people across more than 80 countries, and attracts millions of fans and viewers worldwide. The NHL is the premier ice hockey league in the world, featuring some of the best players and teams from North America and Europe.
The New York Rangers are the most valuable hockey team, with a value of $2 billion, followed by the Toronto Maple Leafs ($1.9 billion), the Montreal Canadiens ($1.8 billion) and the Chicago Blackhawks ($1.7 billion). The top NHL players are also among the highest-paid athletes, with Connor McDavid leading the way with $37 million in earnings in 2022, followed by Auston Matthews ($31 million) and Artemi Panarin ($30 million).
5. Baseball – $40 billion
Baseball is one of the most popular and richest sports in North America and some parts of Asia and Latin America, with a net worth of around $40 billion as of 2023. The sport is played by around 15 million people across more than 100 countries, and attracts millions of fans and viewers worldwide. MLB is the oldest and most prestigious baseball league in the world, featuring some of the best players and teams from the US and Canada.
MLB is also one of the most valuable sports leagues in the world, with five of its teams making the top 50 list of Forbes’ most valuable sports teams in 2022. The New York Yankees are the most valuable baseball team, with a valueof $6 billion, followed by the Los Angeles Dodgers ($4.6 billion), the Boston Red Sox ($4 billion) and the Chicago Cubs ($3.8 billion). The top MLB players are also among the highest-paid athletes, with Mike Trout leading the pack with $60 million in earnings in 2022, followed by Gerrit Cole ($45 million) and Mookie Betts ($44 million).
6. Golf – $7 billion
Golf is one of the most popular and richest sports in the world, with a net worth of around $7 billion as of 2023. The sport is played by around 60 million people across more than 200 countries, and attracts millions of fans and viewers worldwide. The PGA Tour is the main professional golf tour in the US, featuring some of the best players and tournaments in the world.
Golfers are also some of the highest-paid athletes, with Tiger Woods being the richest athlete of all time, with a net worth of over $800 million. In terms of annual earnings, Dustin Johnson leads the way with $36 million in 2022,followed by Jon Rahm ($33 million) and Rory McIlroy ($32 million).
7. Cricket – $6 billion
Cricket is one of the most popular and richest sports in some parts of Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe, with a net worth of around $6 billion as of 2023. The sport is played by around 300 million people across more than 100 countries, and attracts millions of fans and viewers worldwide. The ICC Cricket World Cup, held every four years, is the most prestigious cricket tournament in the world, with an estimated 1.6 billion viewers in 2019.
Cricket also has some of the most valuable sports leagues in the world, such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), which has a value of over $8 billion as of 2020. The IPL features some of the best players and teams from India and other countries, and pays them handsomely. The top cricket players are also among the highest-paid athletes, with Virat Kohli topping the list with $31 million in earnings in 2022, followed by MS Dhoni ($28 million) and Rohit Sharma ($26 million).
8. Tennis – $6 billion
Tennis is one of the most popular and richest sports in the world, with a net worth of around $6 billion as of 2023. The sport is played by around 87 million people across more than 200 countries, and attracts millions of fans and viewers worldwide. The four Grand Slam tournaments, namely Wimbledon, US Open, French Open, and Australian Open, are the most prestigious tennis events in the world, offering huge prize money and ranking points to the winners.
Tennis also has some of the highest-paid athletes in both men’s and women’s categories. In terms of career earnings, Roger Federer leads the way with over $130 million, followed by Novak Djokovic ($120 million) and Rafael Nadal ($115million). In terms of annual earnings, Naomi Osaka leads the way with $51.5 million in 2022, followed by Serena Williams ($41.3 million) and Ashleigh Barty ($18.7 million).
9. Formula One – $5 billion
Formula One is one of the most popular and richest sports in Europe and some parts of Asia and Latin America, with a net worth of around $5 billion as of 2023. The sport is watched by around 500 million people across more than 200 countries, and attracts millions of fans and viewers worldwide. The Formula One World Championship, held every year, is the most prestigious motor racing competition in the world, featuring some of the best drivers and teams from around the globe.
Formula One also has some of the most valuable sports teams in the world, with Ferrari leading the pack with a value of $2.6 billion, followed by Mercedes ($2.1 billion), Red Bull ($1.8 billion) and McLaren ($1.4 billion). The top Formula One drivers are also among the highest-paid athletes, with Lewis Hamilton topping the list with $82 million in earnings in 2022, followed by Max Verstappen ($42 million) and Fernando Alonso ($25 million).
10. Boxing – $4 billion
Boxing is one of the most popular and richest sports in North America and some parts of Europe and Asia, with a net worth of around $4 billion as of 2023. The sport is watched by around 300 million people across more than 150 countries, and attracts millions of fans and viewers worldwide. Boxing matches, especially those involving heavyweight champions or popular fighters, can generate huge amounts of revenue from pay-per-view sales, ticket sales, sponsorships and betting.
Boxers are also some of the highest-paid athletes in the world, with Canelo Alvarez leading the way with $40 million in earnings in 2022, followed by Anthony Joshua ($35 million) and Tyson Fury ($32 million). Boxing also produces some of the richest athletes of all time, such as Floyd Mayweather Jr., who has a net worth of over $1 billion, and Manny Pacquiao, who has a net worth of over $200 million.
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