Who are the Top 20 Richest Athletes in the Winter Olympics 2026?

The Top 20 Richest Athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo brings together thousands of the world’s most elite winter sports stars — and among them are some of the wealthiest winter athletes in history. While many Olympians earn modest incomes from sport alone, a select group benefit from professional salaries, long competitive careers, and massive endorsement deals that help them build substantial net worth.

Here’s a breakdown of the Top 20 richest athletes competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics, their countries, and estimated net worths:

1. Alexander Ovechkin (Russia) – ≈ $85 million

While his participation in 2026 depends on Olympic eligibility decisions, Ovechkin is one of the best-known NHL stars globally. His long career, lucrative NHL contracts, and endorsements push his net worth high above most other winter athletes. (Estimate based on hockey salary trends and historical athlete wealth reports.)

2. Eileen Gu (China / USA) – ≈ $50 million

• Sport: Freestyle skiing

• Country: Represents China

• Net Worth: ~$50M
  At just 22, Gu tops many lists because of intense brand partnerships (Louis Vuitton, Victoria’s Secret, Red Bull) and massive earnings outside of competition. She’s widely cited as the highest-paid winter Olympian entering Milano–Cortina 2026.

3. Auston Matthews (United States) – ≈ $40–50 million

• Sport: Ice hockey (NHL)

• Country: USA
  NHL players are among the highest-paid athletes on the ice, and Matthews’ combination of a huge salary with endorsements places him near the top of this list.

4. Sidney Crosby (Canada) – ≈ $50 million

• Sport: Ice hockey (NHL)

• Country: Canada
  A superstar in the NHL for over a decade, Crosby’s career earnings and endorsement deals keep him around the top of the richest winter Olympians, even as he ages.

5. Nathan MacKinnon (Canada) – ≈ $40 million

• Sport: Ice hockey (NHL)

• Country: Canada
  MacKinnon’s long NHL career, leadership roles, and consistent performance in one of the highest-paying sports play a big part in his estimated wealth.

6. Lindsey Vonn (United States) – ≈ $15 million

• Sport: Alpine skiing

• Country: USA
  A former Olympic medalist and one of the most recognizable names in skiing, Vonn has built wealth through endorsements and decades of competition.

7. Mikaela Shiffrin (United States) – ≈ $15 million

• Sport: Alpine skiing

• Country: USA
  Shiffrin’s consistent excellence on the slopes combined with sponsorships makes her one of the wealthiest alpine skiers today.

8. Chloe Kim (United States) – ≈ $10 million

• Sport: Snowboarding

• Country: USA
  Two-time Olympic gold medalist Kim earns from prize money and big name sponsorships with major brands.

9. Ilia Malinin (United States) – ≈ $2 million

• Sport: Figure skating

• Country: USA
  A rising figure skating star with technical milestones in his sport, Malinin is building both fame and financial value through endorsements and future professional opportunities.

10. Jordan Stolz (United States) – ≈ $1 million

• Sport: Speed skating

• Country: USA
  A young speed skating sensation whose wealth comes from increased visibility and early competitive success.

11. Scotty James (Australia) – ≈ $3 million

• Sport: Snowboarding

• Country: Australia
  Consistent top results at world championships and X Games appearances have helped James secure sponsorships that translate into decent earnings.

12. Hilary Knight (United States) – ≈ $2 million

• Sport: Women’s ice hockey

• Country: USA
  A major figure in women’s hockey with endorsement deals that complement her international playing career.

13. Alex Ovechkin’s Teammate (e.g., Vladislav Gavrikov – Russia) – ≈ $12 million

• Sport: Ice hockey (NHL)

• Country: Russia
  Many Russian and European hockey stars who compete in the NHL have significant salaries that bolster their net worth.

14. Team USA Bobsled / Skeleton Members (various) – ≈ $1–3 million

While not individually household names like the others above, members of profitable national programs (especially U.S. bobsled, skeleton, and luge teams) can build decent net worths through national funding and bonus programs.

15. Other NHL Players (e.g., Patrice Bergeron – Canada) – ≈ $25 million

NHL veterans participating in the 2026 Olympics (depending on eligibility) bring decades of NHL earnings that contribute to substantial wealth.

16. Other Alpine Stars (e.g., Alexis Pinturault – France) – ≈ $8 million

Long competitive careers, especially in alpine skiing, often lead to long-term sponsorships and appearance fees.

17. Other Figure Skating Stars (e.g., Evgenia Medvedeva – Japan / Russia) – ≈ $6 million

Top figure skaters who tour professionally outside the Olympics often build financial portfolios through shows and endorsements.

18. Other Freestyle Skiers (e.g., Kevin Rolland – France) – ≈ $4 million

High exposure events like X Games and international circuits help these athletes earn significant sponsorship money.

19. Cross-Country and Biathlon Veterans (Norway / Germany) – ≈ $3–5 million

Some long-standing stars from Nordic skiing and biathlon enjoy strong national sponsorship deals, especially in Europe where skiing is a marquee sport.

20. Host Country Medal Stars (Italy) – ≈ $2–4 million

Successful Italian athletes who medal at home Games often receive domestic endorsements that boost their profiles and incomes.

Countries Represented Among the Wealthiest

These richest winter athletes come predominantly from countries with strong winter sport traditions and professional leagues:

The strong showing from the United States and Canada reflects both the depth of winter sports infrastructure in North America and the global commercial value of stars from those countries.

Why These Athletes Are so Wealthy

1. Professional League Salaries – NHL players like Auston Matthews, Sidney Crosby, and others earn multi-million dollar contracts not typical in most Olympic sports outside hockey.

2. Endorsements and Partnerships – Stars such as Eileen Gu and Chloe Kim benefit from high-value deals with global brands, pushing their income far beyond competition earnings.

3. Media and Public Profiles – Some athletes build off-season income through TV appearances, social media, and brand ambassadorships.

4. Post-Competitive Career Opportunities – Figure skaters and skiing legends often move into tours and coaching, which strengthen long-term net worth.

How Olympic Athletes Get Paid

It’s also worth noting that Olympic medal bonuses and national funding differ by country:

• The USA Olympic & Paralympic Committee offers cash bonuses for medals (e.g., around $37,500 for gold).

• Some countries also supplement medalists’ incomes with housing, stipends, and pension benefits.

• Professional athletes often earn far more from their sport careers outside Olympic competition (e.g., NHL salaries or commercial deals) than from Olympic prize money itself.

The 2026 Winter Olympics may be about athletic achievement, but for some star athletes it represents another stage in building personal brands and net worth. From Eileen Gu’s global endorsement empire to NHL stars’ massive professional salaries, this cohort shows how winter sport athletes can translate skill, visibility, and strategic partnerships into substantial financial success.

Whether they’re bringing home medals or signing major sponsorships, these 20 athletes stand out not just for their sporting ability — but for the economic impact they’ve made on the world of winter sport.