The global sports industry is entering its most financially explosive era, with media rights, digital audiences, global fanbases, and sponsorship surging at record levels. The 2025–26 season has seen several leagues break historical revenue barriers, with new valuations placing cricket and American sports at the very top.
From the NFL and NBA to the IPL and Premier League, the world’s biggest leagues continue to dominate revenue charts, attract elite sponsors, and reach billions of fans worldwide. Here is a complete, updated look at the Top 10 Richest Sports Leagues in the World 2025–26.
Top 10 Richest Sports Leagues in the World (2025–26)
| Rank | League | Country | Sport | Valuation (2025–26) | Broadcast Revenue (Annual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Football League (NFL) | United States | American Football | $20 billion | Multi-billion contracts |
| 2 | Indian Premier League (IPL) | India | Cricket | $17 billion | Very high match-by-match revenue |
| 3 | National Basketball Association (NBA) | USA & Canada | Basketball | $14 billion | Massive global media rights |
| 4 | Major League Baseball (MLB) | USA & Canada | Baseball | $12 billion | Strong US broadcasting revenue |
| 5 | English Premier League (EPL) | England | Football | $8 billion | Huge global broadcasting |
| 6 | National Hockey League (NHL) | USA & Canada | Ice Hockey | $6.5 billion | Large sponsorship growth |
| 7 | Bundesliga | Germany | Football | $5 billion | Strong domestic TV deals |
| 8 | La Liga Santander | Spain | Football | $4.5 billion | Impressive European broadcasting |
| 9 | Serie A | Italy | Football | $3.5 billion | €1.47 billion broadcasting value |
| 10 | UEFA Champions League | Europe (Multi-nation) | Football | $3.5 billion | Global multi-network broadcasting |
1. National Football League (NFL) – The World’s Richest Sports League
Why NFL Is No. 1
The NFL maintains its crown with unmatched financial muscle and a massive American fanbase.
Key Highlights
- Valuation: $20 billion
- Long-term contracts with NBC, ESPN, Fox
- Sponsorship giants: Bud Light, Microsoft, FedEx, Toyota
- 32 highly valued franchises
- Massive ticket and merchandise income
- Its unmatched popularity keeps American football at the heart of the global sports business.
The league’s dominance continues across broadcast, commercial partnerships, and fan engagement.
Read Also: Top 10 Richest Football Clubs in the World 2025–2026
2. Indian Premier League (IPL) – Cricket’s Global Financial Giant
Why IPL Is No. 2
The IPL remains the biggest cricket league on Earth, known for explosive fan engagement and unmatched media value.
Key Highlights
- Valuation: $17 billion
- Broadcasting Earnings: $1.21 billion per year
- Sponsored by: TATA Group, CEAT, Aramco, Wonder Cement, and more
- Merchandise + ticket sales continue to rise
- Attracts the highest average player salaries after the NFL
IPL continues to stand as the world’s most commercially successful cricket league
3. National Basketball Association (NBA)
Why NBA Is Booming
The NBA remains one of the fastest-growing leagues worldwide.
Key Highlights
- Valuation: $14 billion
- Sponsorship crossing $1 billion annually
- Partnership with Nike
- Massive global fan base, especially in Asia
- High digital engagement across platforms
The NBA’s iconic global presence positions it as a top-three powerhouse
4. Major League Baseball (MLB)
MLB’s popularity, history, and strong fan culture continue to drive its financial success.
Highlights
- Valuation: $12 billion
- Broadcast Value: $1.84 billion
- Strong merchandising and ticket sales
- New York Yankees valued at $8.2 billion
MLB remains a pillar of American sports culture.
5. English Premier League (EPL)
The EPL continues to lead world football in commercial power.
Highlights
- Valuation: $8 billion
- Sold-out stadiums across 20 clubs
- Billion-dollar global broadcast network
- Extremely high merchandise sales
The EPL continues to lead the global football market.
6. National Hockey League (NHL)
The NHL is stronger than ever, with rising valuations and increasing sponsorship.
Highlights:
- Valuation: $6.5 billion
- Ticket sales worth $2.4 billion
- Major partners: Honda, Apple, Pepsi, Nestlé
- Franchise values skyrocketing
- Massive footprint in USA & Canada
The NHL continues its steady rise.
7. Bundesliga – Germany’s Football Business Success
Germany’s top-tier league has seen remarkable financial growth in recent years.
Highlights
- Valuation: $5 billion
- Huge local stadium attendance
- Bundesliga 2 crosses €1 billion for the first time
- Consistent stadium attendance
- Partnerships with Adidas, Puma, and telecom giants
The league stays strong as one of Europe’s most stable systems.
Read Also: Top 10 Most Watched Football Leagues in the World 2025
8. La Liga Santander – Spain’s Football Powerhouse
La Liga continues to command huge global attention due to top clubs and star players.
Highlights
- Valuation: $4.5 billion
- Commercial revenue over €1 billion
- Broadcasting: €1.5 billion
- Home of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid
The tournament remains unmatched in prestige and viewership.
9. Serie A – Italy’s Iconic Football League
Despite challenges, Serie A retains its importance in global football culture.
Highlights
- Valuation: $3.5 billion
- €1.47 billion broadcasting value
- Strong sponsorship presence
Serie A stays within the world’s top leagues.
10. UEFA Champions League – Europe’s Elite Tournament
Highlights:
- Valuation: $3.5 billion
- Sponsored by major global brands
- Wide broadcasting reach across 200+ nations
The UCL continues to be world football’s most prestigious club tournament.
Sports leagues around the world are earning more money than ever, and the 2025–26 list shows how fast the industry is growing. With bigger TV deals, stronger fan support, and global reach, these top leagues will continue to get even richer in the coming years.
FAQs
1. Which is the richest sports league in the world 2025–26?
The NFL is the richest sports league with a valuation of $20 billion.
2. Which is the richest cricket league?
The IPL, valued at $17 billion.
3. Which football league is the richest?
The English Premier League (EPL) with $8 billion in valuation.
