Top Ten Highest-Earning Men’s Rugby Players Worldwide in 2026

Who are the Top 10 Richest Male Rugby Players in 2026?

Rugby has evolved from a grassroots sport into a global professional powerhouse, attracting huge salaries, endorsement deals, and business opportunities for the game’s biggest stars. While only a handful of rugby players reach the wealth of global football or basketball icons, the richest in this sport have crafted impressive financial legacies both on and off the pitch.

In 2026, the landscape of rugby wealth reflects not just earnings from playing contracts, but also endorsements, business ventures, media careers, and investments. Here’s a breakdown of the Top 10 Richest Male Rugby Players in the World in 2026, where they’re from, and how much they’re worth.

1. Sir Anthony O’Reilly — Ireland | Estimated Net Worth: ~US$200M

Sir Anthony O’Reilly tops the 2026 list, and unlike most of the others here, his wealth comes largely from corporate success rather than rugby salaries alone.

• Country: Ireland

• Estimated Net Worth (2026): ~$200 million

• Source of Wealth: After a successful rugby career in the 1960s, O’Reilly built a major business empire including media and food companies, eventually leading a global consolidated business group. His wealth substantially exceeds that of most other rugby professionals alive today.

O’Reilly’s rugby success laid the foundation for his global business visibility, and as of 2026 his net worth remains the highest of any known rugby player worldwide.

2. Sir Bill Gammell — Scotland | Estimated Net Worth: ~US$130–150M

• Country: Scotland

• Estimated Net Worth (2026): ~$130–150 million

• Career Overview: Gammell played rugby at a high level before retiring early due to injury. Post-rugby, he became a notable businessman, investing in energy and financial sectors.

His wealth results primarily from his entrepreneurial success rather than rugby earnings. These significant business ventures keep him firmly in the top echelons of rugby wealth holders.

3. Dan Carter — New Zealand | Estimated Net Worth: ~US$60M

• Country: New Zealand

• Estimated Net Worth (2026): ~$60 million (projected)

• Career Overview: Widely considered one of the best rugby fly-halves of all time, Dan Carter’s career included top-tier contracts in New Zealand and France, plus lucrative endorsement agreements.

Carter has also authored books and invested in business ventures, which have helped grow his net worth significantly. He is widely recognized across rugby markets for both his sporting accomplishments and financial success.

4. Simon McDowell — Ireland | Estimated Net Worth: ~US$55–65M

• Country: Ireland

• Estimated Net Worth (2026): ~$55–65 million

• Wealth Background: Simon McDowell’s inclusion here isn’t solely due to rugby contracts — after retirement he stepped into business management and expanded his family’s successful chemical company.

Although McDowell’s wealth is less publicized than mainstream sports stars, his long-term business success places him among rugby’s richest.

5. Jonny Wilkinson — England | Estimated Net Worth: ~US$45M

• Country: England

• Estimated Net Worth (2026): ~$45 million (projected)

• About Him: One of England’s most iconic rugby figures, Wilkinson earned prestige — and later wealth — from his rugby career, broadcasting work, public speaking, and involvement in rugby development.

Wilkinson successfully leveraged his sporting reputation into endorsements and media roles after retirement.

6. Sonny Bill Williams — New Zealand | Estimated Net Worth: ~US$40M

• Country: New Zealand

• Estimated Net Worth (2026): ~$40 million (projected)

• Career Summary: A rare multi-sport athlete, Williams made his money not just in rugby union but also rugby league and professional boxing. He has endorsement deals and media presence that continue to add to his income.

His diversified career and global brand appeal make him one of the sport’s most recognizable and wealthy figures.

7. Mike Tindall — United Kingdom | Estimated Net Worth: ~US$30M

• Country: United Kingdom

• Estimated Net Worth (2026): ~$30 million

• About Him: Tindall, a former England international and Rugby World Cup winner, transitioned into media and public life after retirement. His ongoing television appearances, public speaking, and brand collaborations helped maintain a significant income stream.

His royal family connection (by marriage) also opened doors to media and commercial opportunities, contributing to his wealth.

8. Antoine Dupont — France | Estimated Net Worth: ~US$20–25M

• Country: France

• Estimated Net Worth (2026): ~$20–25 million

• Current Relevance: Dupont is widely regarded as one of the best rugby players in the modern game. Along with his substantial club salary — reportedly at the top of professional rugby earnings in 2026 — he earns from endorsements and sponsorships.

While still active on the pitch, his earning potential continues to rise, positioning him as one of the richest active players in the sport’s history.

9. Owen Farrell — England | Estimated Net Worth: ~US$18–22M

• Country: England

• Estimated Net Worth (2026): ~$18–22 million

• Career Snapshot: Captain of England and a central figure in club rugby for over a decade, Farrell’s contract earnings — including a big move to France — make him one of the highest-paid players in the world.

He also participates in endorsement campaigns and rugby ambassador roles, boosting his financial profile.

10. Cheslin Kolbe — South Africa | Estimated Net Worth: ~US$15–18M

• Country: South Africa

• Estimated Net Worth (2026): ~$15–18 million

• Why He’s Here: Kolbe combines athletic excellence with commercial appeal. His signature playing style has driven high-value club contracts (including one in Japan) and sponsorship ventures.

Although not as wealthy as some business-savvy predecessors, Kolbe’s financial success as a current elite athlete earns him a place in the top ten.

Analysis: How Rugby Wealth Has Evolved by 2026

1. Business and Post-Career Success Matter

Unlike sports where top incomes come only from current contracts, rugby’s richest figures often built wealth through business success after retirement. Sir Anthony O’Reilly and Sir Bill Gammell are prime examples.

2. Active Players with High Salaries Are Emerging

In recent years, contracts in leagues such as France’s Top 14 and Japan Rugby League One have grown substantially. Antoine Dupont, Owen Farrell, and Cheslin Kolbe are part of this newer generation of high-earning athletes.

3. Endorsements Boost Earnings

Brand deals with global sponsors in apparel, watches, and lifestyle brands contribute to player earnings beyond their club salaries and bonuses. Dan Carter and Sonny Bill Williams, for example, have benefited from endorsement opportunities in Europe, Australasia, and Asia.

4. Rugby’s Growth Has Not Yet Reached Other Sports’ Earnings

Even at the top of rugby wealth lists, net worth figures are modest compared to football (soccer) stars or top tennis players. This reflects rugby’s commercial scale; while the sport is deeply popular, TV deals and global sales are smaller than in some other major sports.

Country Breakdown of the Top 10 Richest Rugby Players in 2026

This mix reflects rugby’s strongholds: Europe (especially the British Isles and France) and traditional Southern Hemisphere powerhouses (New Zealand and South Africa).

What Drives Rugby Players’ Wealth?

Here are key revenue streams that help rugby players build wealth:

1. Club Salaries

Top players receive high annual salaries, especially in clubs from France’s Top 14 and Japan’s League One. In 2026, players like Antoine Dupont and Owen Farrell reportedly earn over £1 million a year just in salary.

2. Endorsements & Brand Deals

Major players often secure deals with sports apparel brands, watches, lifestyle sponsors, and beyond. These deals boost annual income significantly.

3. Media and Commentary

Retired players like Jonny Wilkinson and Mike Tindall often work as analysts, commentators, or hosts on TV and digital platforms.

4. Business Ventures

Running companies outside of rugby — as with O’Reilly and Gammell — can vastly increase lifetime earnings compared to salaries alone.

5. Public Speaking & Appearances

High-profile players often engage in paid speaking circuits, coaching academies, and public appearances that generate considerable additional revenue.

The world of rugby in 2026 offers a fascinating mix of traditional athletic earnings and modern wealth generation strategies. From the business empires of former union stars like Sir Anthony O’Reilly to the mega-salaries of current elite players like Antoine Dupont, rugby’s richest athletes have diversified their incomes well beyond the pitch.

Although rugby doesn’t yet rival global sports like football or basketball in sheer financial scale, rising salaries, growing commercial interest, and expanding international audiences mean future lists could see active players challenge even larger net worth brackets.

Whether through strategic investing, long-term contracts, endorsements, or business ventures, the Top 10 Richest Male Rugby Players in the World in 2026 reveal the evolving financial power of one of the world’s most enduring team sports.