Sports has been the focal point of global audiences for years, and they are not just a source of amusement but also a successful economic giant. The international sports economy has grown explosively, increasing from $486.61 billion in 2021 to a projected $512.14 billion in 2023, and it is predicted to reach more than $700 billion in 2026.
There is a billion-dollar machine behind every dunk, tackle and goal, proving sports are much more than just games today. So put your favourite jersey on as we’re diving into the top 10 leagues in the world. The one with the craziest games, the biggest revenues and tactics that keep them in the top year after year.
Comparison Table: 10 Richest Sports Leagues in the World
| Rank | League | Country/Region | Sport | Established | Revenue (2023/24) | Top Sponsors | Notable Fact |
| 1 | National Football League (NFL) | USA | American Football | 1920 | $18 billion (2024) | PepsiCo, Nike, Verizon, Bud Light | Super Bowl ads cost $7M for 30 seconds |
| 2 | Indian Premier League (IPL) | India | Cricket | 2008 | $9.5 billion (2023) | Vivo, Dream11, Byjus | Mumbai Indians valued at $86.4M |
| 3 | Major League Baseball (MLB) | USA | Baseball | 1876 | $11.34 billion (2023) | Chevrolet, Mastercard | 162 games per season, 30 teams |
| 4 | National Basketball Association (NBA) | USA | Basketball | 1946 | $10.58 billion (2023) | Nike, Pepsi, State Farm | Average team valued at $3B |
| 5 | English Premier League (EPL) | UK | Football (Soccer) | 1992 | £7 billion (2023) | Barclays, Nike, EA Sports | Each club valued at $1.51B on average |
| 6 | National Hockey League (NHL) | USA/Canada | Ice Hockey | 1917 | $6.43 billion (2023) | Geico, Budweiser, Honda | NY Rangers worth $2.2B |
| 7 | La Liga Santander | Spain | Football (Soccer) | 1929 | €5.69 billion (2023–24) | Santander, Nike, Puma | Home to Real Madrid, world’s richest club |
| 8 | Bundesliga | Germany | Football (Soccer) | 1962 | €4.4 billion (2023) | Adidas, Deutsche Telekom | Earns €1.1B annually from TV rights |
| 9 | Serie A | Italy | Football (Soccer) | 1898 | €2.9 billion (2023) | TIM, Puma, Coca-Cola | AC Milan valued at €1B |
| 10 | UEFA Champions League | Europe-wide | Football (Soccer) | 1955 | €3.2 billion (2022–23) | Gazprom, Nissan, Heineken | Top European clubs in elite competition |
1. National Football League (NFL) – USA
- Sport: American Football
- Established: 1920
- Revenue: $13 billion (2023)
- Top Sponsors: PepsiCo, Nike, Verizon, Bud Light
The NFL is the world’s most valuable sports league, raking in more than $18 billion in 2024. Not to be outdone, players also pocket astronomical amounts, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, renegotiated his contract to earn $75 million over two years.
Even the pandemic recession of 2020 was short-lived as the league is now projecting $25 billion in yearly revenue by 2027.
Nothing shows its influence better than the Super Bowl, in which a 30-second commercial costs $7 million. Although American football is not nearly as popular abroad as soccer or cricket, the NFL is still more valuable than any other league, making it the supreme fiscal behemoth in the sports universe.
2. Indian Premier League (IPL) – India
- Sport: Cricket
- Established: 2008
- Revenue: $9.5 billion (2023)
- Top Sponsors: Vivo, Dream11, Byjus
The IPL is the second wealthiest sports league, after reaching the figure of $9 billion. With Mumbai Indians being the most valuable franchise worth $86.4 million, IPL stands second in writing big fat cheques as well, with the players drawing an average of $5.3 million per year.
With uncontrolled popularity, the IPL has introduced lucrative sponsorship and media contracts, hence becoming a leading sporting spectacle with global viewership and popularity. IPL has alliances with various leading brands such as VIVO, Paytm, TATA, and Dream11. And this year, at $6.2 billion for the 2023–2027 period, IPL saw a three-fold increase in media contracts.
Just like sports leagues have tiers and standings that define their competitive structure, games like Valorant also have ranks in order, giving players a clear path from beginner to top-level competition.
3. Major League Baseball (MLB) – (USA)
- Sport: Baseball
- Established: 1876
- Revenue: $11.34 billion (2023)
- Top Sponsors: Chevrolet, Mastercard
With $11.34 billion in revenue, MLB is the third wealthiest sports league. Established in 1876, the league is rich in history and has 30 teams playing 162 games a year.
The MLB derives its revenues from broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and ticket sales. In spite of pandemic-affected declines, the league experienced a turnaround in 2022, fueled by high-value contracts and the acquisition of high-profile players, increasing interest and attendance.
4. National Basketball Association (NBA) – USA
- Sport: Basketball
- Established: 1946
- Revenue: $10.58 billion (2022-23)
- Top Sponsors: Nike, Pepsi, State Farm
North America’s NBA is the world’s most elite and wealthiest basketball league, with the average team valued at approximately $3 billion. Following its being negatively impacted for two years by the pandemic, the NBA leapt to record a $10 billion revenue for last year. This means that the NBA’s annual revenue has almost tripled over the last ten years.
It has locked up national television broadcast deals worth $500 million, But the significant impetus behind this surge is the NBA jersey pact with Nike and their jersey patch initiative with individual clubs that allegedly generated more than $200 million in revenue last year alone.
5. English Premier League (EPL) – UK
- Sport: Football
- Established: 1992
- Revenue: £7 billion (2023)
- Top Sponsors: Barclays, Nike, EA Sports
Lets quickly jump over the ocean to the UK! England’s glory and pride EPL is the fifth richest of the top 10 leagues in the world, which sees an annual revenue of nearly £6 billion in 2024. With each Premier League club valued at $1.51 billion, the total value of the league’s 20 clubs is a staggering $30.3 billion.
The EPL clubs’ revenue generation increased significantly due to the recruitment of star players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku by Manchester United.
Just like top sports leagues constantly innovate to keep fans engaged, Fortnite players are always looking for the best XP maps in Fortnite to level up faster and stay ahead in the game.
6. National Hockey League (NHL) – USA/Canada
- Sport: Ice Hockey
- Established: 1917
- Revenue: $6.43 billion (2023)
- Top Sponsors: Geico, Budweiser, Honda
The NHL, North America’s elite ice hockey league is worth approximately $5.5 billion. The league has 32 teams, the most valuable of which is the New York Rangers at $2.2 billion.
The majority of the revenue of NHL is derived from broadcasting, sponsorships, ticket sales, and collaborations with international brands such as Adidas, Coca-Cola, and Discover. Even as a “niche” sport beyond North America, the NHL boasts fervent fan bases, premium-ticket prices, and merchandise – such as those expensive jerseys!
7. La Liga Santander – Spain
- Sport: Football (Soccer)
- Established: 1929
- Revenue: €5.69 billion (2023-24)
- Top Sponsors: Santander, Nike, Puma
Spain’s La Liga Santander is one of the most lucrative sports leagues globally. It is home to Real Madrid, the world’s richest football club in 2024.
The La Liga Santander is a giant league with 20 teams, a 38-game season annually and millions of viewers every year. Featuring some of the best European clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia, etc., the football league makes the majority of its income from broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and tickets.
8. Bundesliga – Germany
- Sport: Football
- Established: 1962
- Revenue: €4.4 billion (2023)
- Top Sponsors: Adidas, Deutsche Telekom
Home to 18 clubs that compete in a 34-game annually, Germany’s Bundesliga makes an approximate €4.4 billion to take the eighth richest sport league in the top 10 sports leagues globally.
Making most of its revenue from broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and ticket sales, the league is well-endowed with a rich television networks deal. Raking in €1.1 billion annually from national TV rights, the Bundesliga, being one of the top 10 leagues in the world, has sponsored several large companies like Adidas, Coca-Cola, and Puma.
While exploring the business side of sports, many fans also follow eSports trends, where games like PUBG have created new revenue streams, especially through features like the secret key PUBG that engage players and boost in-game earnings.
9. Serie A – France
- Sport: Football
- Established: 1898
- Revenue: €2.9 billion (2023)
- Top Sponsors: TIM, Puma, Coca Cola
Italy’s Serie A is the ninth richest sports league with an annual revenue of €2.8 billion. With its history and deep cultural heritage, Serie A franchise AC Milan boasts the highest market value of €1 billion in 2023.
Home to 20 teams playing 38 games, Serie A is famous for its style of play over speed thrills. The Italian football league is set to bring greater revenue flow. It has a domestic rights deal with sports streaming platform DAZN for €2.5 billion as well as Pay-TV broadcaster Sky Italia Serie A has announced a €262.5 million three-year deal.
10. UEFA Champions League
- Sport: Football
- Established: 1955
- Revenue: €3.2 billion (2022-23)
- Top Sponsors: Gazprom, Nissan, Heineken
At last, the UEFA Champions League has an estimated revenue of €3.5 billion. UEFA, among the world’s leading sports leagues, lost nearly €2 billion in revenue for the 2021-22 season after posting a record high, significantly fueled by the postponed European Championship.
Conclusion
The economic reality of sports leagues is not merely entertainment; it’s a dynamic market with serious economic consequences. Every league has its own characteristics and tactics that lead to its financial success. As these leagues adapt and evolve further, their cultural and commercial impact will continue to grow, cementing their positions as integral movers in the global economy. With fan interest and media alliances fueling development, the future of sports leagues appears incredibly promising.
Looking at the top 10 leagues in the world, it’s evident that these competitions are more than just games, they are global powerhouses shaping the future of sports, culture, and business alike.