Sports
Most Profitable Sports Teams [2026]
The top 20 most profitable sports teams for 2026 have been revealed, with the NFL and NBA, maybe unsurprisingly, dominating the list.
Teams featured on the list are global franchises who benefit from TV deals, sponsorships, ticket sales, and merchandise, with most also buoyed by successful campaigns.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the top 10 most profitable teams, with figures taken from Forbes’ most recent report. Also, you can find what teams make it into the 20-11 part of the list in the table provided below, with their operating income and their value.
|
20 most profitable sports team in 2026 (20-11) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Position |
Team |
Operating income |
Value |
|
20. |
Houston Texans |
$156 million |
$7.4 billion |
|
19. |
Chicago Bulls |
$160 million |
$6 billion |
|
18. |
Los Angeles Lakers |
$170 million |
$10 billion |
|
17. |
Arsenal |
$173 million |
$3.4 billion |
|
16. |
Las Vegas Raiders |
$179 million |
$7.7 billion |
|
15. |
New York Jets |
$180 million |
$8.1 billion |
|
14. |
New York Giants |
$181 million |
$10.1 billion |
|
13. |
New York Rangers |
$182 million |
$4 billion |
|
12. |
Tottenham Hotspur |
$184 million |
$3.3 billion |
|
11. |
Manchester United |
$185 million |
$6.6 billion |
=9. Houston Rockets
Operating Income: $191 million | Value: $5.9 billion
The Rockets finished second seed in the West with a 52-30 record built primarily off their strengths on the defensive end. They ultimately fell short in the first round of the playoffs, however, after clawing back a 3-1 deficit to force a game seven with the Golden State Warriors.
The season marked a huge improvement for the Rockets, who had not appeared in the playoffs since 2020. They have since traded with the Phoenix Suns for 2013-14 MVP and two-time NBA Champion Kevin Durant in an attempt to improve on the offensive end. Durant, along with the rising profiles of Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, have driven ticket demand, sponsorship deals, and TV coverage.
This season they have transformed into one of the top offensive teams and currently sit sixth in the Western Conference with a 22-12 record.
=9. Toronto Maple Leafs
Operating Income: $191 million | Value: $4.4 billion
The Maple Leafs finished the 2024-25 regular season with a 52‑26‑4 record, finishing second in the East and winning the Atlantic Division, marking their first division title since 1967-68.
After defeating the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, they fell short in the second round in game seven to the eventual champions, the Florida Panthers.
They have so far endured a tougher 2025-26 season, currently sitting fifth in the Atlantic Division with a 21-15-7 record.
=7. Philadelphia 76ers
Operating Income: $203 million | Value $5.45 billion
An injury-plagued 76ers side could only manage 13th in the Eastern Conference as they finished the season with a 24-58 record.
Despite possessing a championship core that includes 2022-23 MVP Joel Embiid alongside Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, injuries to both Embiid and George crumbled their ambitions with the former only managing 19 games across the season.
The 76ers remain a big market team and their high-profile roster, along with sell-out arenas, sponsorship deals, and TV coverage have helped them to a lucrative year.
They currently sit fifth in the East with a 20-15 record.
=7. Atlanta Hawks
Operating Income: $203 million | Value: $5 billion
The Hawks ended last season with a 40-42 record, finishing eighth and qualifying for the Play-In tournament, where they were defeated by the Miami Heat.
The recent departure of the face of the franchise, Trae Young, to the Washington Wizards, marks the beginning of a new era for Atlanta, who currently sit ninth in the Eastern Conference with an 18-21 record.
6. New England Patriots
Operating Income $222 million | Value $9 billion
Last year was a rebound year for the Patriots, who turned around a recent cycle of losing seasons into a division title for their best finish in the post-Brady era.
The performance of Drake Maye has been a huge boost, with the quarterback producing an MVP-calibre season in his sophomore year, emerging as a star player to build the franchise around.
They start their postseason facing off with the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round.
5. Mercedes F1
Operating Income: $227 million | Value $6 billion
Mercedes finished second in the 2025 Constructors’ Championship, albeit a long way back from winners McLaren. They enjoyed a consistent year with 12 podiums along with two Grand Prix wins for British driver George Russell, who finished fourth in the Drivers’ Championship.
The global outreach of the Mercedes brand, along with premium sponsorship deals and a strong season have helped them to a lucrative year.
With major regulation changes coming in 2026, there is an opportunity for Mercedes to emerge as a championship contender once again.
=3. Los Angeles Rams
Operating Income: $244 million | Value: $10.5 billion
The Rams enjoyed one of their stronger campaigns in recent years, placing second in the NFC West with a 12-5 record and qualifying for the play-offs as the fifth seed.
Success was built off their offensive capabilities, scoring an average of 30.5 points per game to finish as the top offensive team in the league.
They will face the Carolina Panthers in the opening round of the playoffs.
=3. Edmonton Oilers
Operating Income: $244 million | Value: $10.5 billion
The Oilers finished third in the Pacific Division with a 48-29-5 record, enjoying a deep playoff run which saw them ultimately defeated in the finals by Stanley Cup winners the Florida Panthers.
Superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl put up high numbers for the Oilers, but there was a lack of scoring depth across the rest of the team.
Just over halfway into the 2025–26 season, the Oilers sit second in the Pacific Division with a record of 22-16-6.
2. Golden State Warriors
Operating Income: $409 million | Value $11 billion
The Warriors snatched the final Western Conference playoff spot in the 2024-25 season, finishing with a 48-34 record.
Despite early-season struggles, they found form producing a stream of wins heading into the post-season, where they defeated the Houston Rockets in the first round before being undone by the Minnesota Timberwolves, who exploited their loss of star player Steph Curry to injury.
The Warriors team is what remains of a finished dynasty, but with Curry, they remain a force to be reckoned with in a stacked Western Conference.
They currently sit eighth in the West with a 20-18 record.
1. Dallas Cowboys
Operating Income: $629 million | Value: $13 billion
Despite struggles on the pitch, the Cowboys finished as the most profitable team in world sport. They failed to qualify for the playoffs, however, for a second straight year, finishing with a 7-9-1 record.
Their offense, led by quarterback Dak Prescott, who led the league in pass attempts and top tier yardage, could rival any in the league. However, they were among the weakest teams on the defensive end, leading to the recent firing of defensive coach Matt Eberflus as the Cowboys search for a fourth defensive coach in as many years.
