The numbers behind the 2026 World Cup
Twenty-five teams—and two billionaire players—are still competing for a $713,000 trophy and $50 million in prize money. Here are more figures to know about the World Cup.
Brett Knight, Forbes Staff
Serena Williams isn’t returning to tennis for the money
Wimbledon is offering a $4.8 million winner’s check, but it’s safe to assume money isn’t the motivation for tennis icon Serena Williams, the richest female athlete ever.
The highest-paid players at the 2026 World Cup
Two new billionaires lead a starting 11 that collectively hauled in an estimated $950 million in the 12 months leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The World’s 10 Highest-Paid Athletes 2026
See Forbes’ 2026 list of the world’s highest-paid athletes, featuring a record payday by Cristiano Ronaldo, plus nine other sports stars who made at least $100 million.
Many countries pay big bonuses for Olympic medals. This one is on the hook for US$7.8 million.
Dozens of nations at the Milan Cortina Games promised their athletes bonuses for podium finishes, but one country’s success puts it in a league of its own financially.
Which countries pay the most for a gold medal at the Winter Olympics?
Each of the gold medals set to be awarded at the 2026 Winter Olympics contains six grams of the precious metal, surrounding 500 grams of silver – together worth more than $2,000, thanks in part to the historic rallies of each. But for athletes from certain countries, the value of that medal will be far greater. Ahead of […]
The highest-paid athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics
NHL players will be among the top earners in Milan Cortina, but the 2026 Winter Olympics’ biggest money winner comes from the ski slopes, with an estimated $23 million.
The World’s Most Profitable Sports Teams 2026
See Forbes’ 2026 list of the world’s most profitable sports teams, which features 20 franchises from five leagues, including one club that topped $600 million in EBITDA.
The world’s 50 most valuable sports teams 2025
See Forbes’ 2025 list of the world’s most valuable sports teams, which features franchises from six different leagues and ranges from $5.4 billion to $13 billion.
Five big changes coming to Formula 1 in 2026
F1 is getting a makeover at more than 200 miles per hour, with next season set to feature new teams, a new race and entirely new cars. The 2025 Formula 1 season is in the books, but F1 cars will be back on the track in just three months when the 2026 campaign begins in […]