Professional sports franchises have become some of the most valuable assets on the planet, and the gap at the top keeps widening. Forbes’ latest ranking of the world’s 50 most valuable sports teams puts their combined worth above $353 billion, averaging $7.1 billion each and up 22% from 2024.
American leagues dominate the top of the list, with the NFL and NBA accounting for every spot in the top ten. Below we rank the ten most valuable sports teams in the world for 2026, with each franchise’s valuation and what drives its worth, based on Forbes’ overall sports team ranking.
Most Valuable Sports Teams at a Glance
| Rank | Team | Valuation | League | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas Cowboys | $13.0B | NFL | Dallas |
| 2 | Golden State Warriors | $11.0B | NBA | San Francisco |
| 3 | Los Angeles Rams | $10.5B | NFL | Los Angeles |
| 4 | New York Giants | $10.1B | NFL | New York |
| 5 | Los Angeles Lakers | $10.0B | NBA | Los Angeles |
| 6 | New York Knicks | $9.75B | NBA | New York |
| 7 | New England Patriots | $9.0B | NFL | Boston |
| 8 | San Francisco 49ers | $8.6B | NFL | San Francisco |
| 9 | Philadelphia Eagles | $8.3B | NFL | Philadelphia |
| 10 | Chicago Bears | $8.2B | NFL | Chicago |
The 10 Most Valuable Sports Teams in the World, Ranked
1. Dallas Cowboys: The World’s Most Valuable Franchise
Valuation: $13.0B | League: NFL | City: Dallas
The Dallas Cowboys top the global rankings at $13.0 billion, cementing their status as the most valuable sports franchise on Earth. Known as America’s Team, the Cowboys generate enormous revenue from sponsorships, their stadium, and one of the largest fan bases in all of sports.
Owner Jerry Jones has turned the franchise into a marketing juggernaut, with AT&T Stadium hosting concerts and major events year-round. Despite a long championship drought, the Cowboys’ commercial machine keeps them comfortably ahead of every rival.
2. Golden State Warriors: The NBA’s Valuation Leader
Valuation: $11.0B | League: NBA | City: San Francisco
The Golden State Warriors rank second overall and first among NBA teams at $11.0 billion. A dynasty run of championships in the 2010s, paired with the move to the privately financed Chase Center, transformed the franchise into a financial powerhouse.
Their Bay Area market and global brand, anchored by superstar Stephen Curry, drive premium sponsorship and ticket revenue. The Warriors show how on-court success and a modern arena can rocket a team’s value.
3. Los Angeles Rams: A Stadium-Fueled Rise
Valuation: $10.5B | League: NFL | City: Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Rams sit third at $10.5 billion, propelled by their return to Los Angeles and the opening of SoFi Stadium. The venue is among the most expensive ever built and hosts Super Bowls, concerts, and major events.
A Super Bowl title in the 2021 season boosted the brand at the perfect moment. Combined with the massive LA media market, the Rams have become one of the NFL’s crown jewels.
4. New York Giants: A Historic NFL Powerhouse
Valuation: $10.1B | League: NFL | City: New York
The New York Giants rank fourth at $10.1 billion, backed by one of the NFL’s oldest and most storied histories. Playing in the nation’s largest media market gives the franchise enormous commercial reach.
Four Super Bowl titles and a loyal fan base sustain strong revenue regardless of season records. The Giants prove that market size and heritage can rival modern stadiums in driving value.
5. Los Angeles Lakers: Basketball’s Global Brand
Valuation: $10.0B | League: NBA | City: Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Lakers round out the top five at $10.0 billion, carried by one of the most recognized brands in global sports. Seventeen championships and a lineage of superstars keep the franchise culturally dominant.
Hollywood glamour and a passionate fan base translate into elite sponsorship and media value. The Lakers remain the NBA’s marquee franchise both on and off the court.
6. New York Knicks: Madison Square Garden’s Crown Jewel
Valuation: $9.75B | League: NBA | City: New York
The New York Knicks rank sixth at $9.75 billion, thriving on the world’s most famous arena and the largest US media market. Madison Square Garden generates revenue few venues can match, regardless of the team’s results.
Recent on-court improvement has re-energized a famously loyal fan base. The Knicks demonstrate how location and brand can outweigh championships in building value.
7. New England Patriots: The Dynasty Dividend
Valuation: $9.0B | League: NFL | City: Boston
The New England Patriots sit seventh at $9.0 billion, built on the most successful NFL dynasty of the 21st century. Six Super Bowl titles during the Tom Brady era created a national following that endures beyond his retirement.
Owner Robert Kraft transformed the franchise into a model of stability and profitability. The Patriots continue to reap the financial rewards of two decades of dominance.
8. San Francisco 49ers: Silicon Valley Backing
Valuation: $8.6B | League: NFL | City: San Francisco
The San Francisco 49ers rank eighth at $8.6 billion, blending a storied history with proximity to Silicon Valley wealth. Five Super Bowl titles and a modern stadium in Santa Clara underpin strong revenue.
The team’s consistent contention keeps national interest high and sponsorships flowing. The 49ers pair tradition with one of the country’s richest regional economies.
9. Philadelphia Eagles: A Passionate Market Pays Off
Valuation: $8.3B | League: NFL | City: Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Eagles place ninth at $8.3 billion, powered by one of the most passionate fan bases in American sports. Recent Super Bowl success has amplified an already fervent following.
Strong local support translates into reliable ticket, merchandise, and sponsorship income. The Eagles show how intense fan loyalty can lift a mid-market team into the global elite.
10. Chicago Bears: Original NFL Royalty
Valuation: $8.2B | League: NFL | City: Chicago
The Chicago Bears close out the top ten at $8.2 billion, tied with baseball’s New York Yankees. As one of the NFL’s founding franchises in a major media market, the Bears carry deep historical prestige.
Their valuation reflects the NFL’s soaring media deals as much as on-field performance. The Bears underline how league-wide revenue growth lifts even long-suffering teams.
Why the NFL Dominates the Rankings
The NFL’s grip on this list is staggering, with 30 of its 32 teams among the world’s 50 most valuable. Massive national television contracts, shared equally among teams, guarantee every franchise enormous baseline revenue regardless of market size.
That revenue-sharing model, combined with limited team supply and surging media rights, has pushed NFL valuations far ahead of other leagues. It is the single biggest reason American football teams fill most of the top ten and top fifty.
Where Soccer and Baseball Fit In
Global soccer, despite its worldwide audience, holds only four spots in the top fifty. Real Madrid leads all soccer clubs at a $9.5 billion valuation on Forbes’ separate soccer ranking, reflecting its trophies, global fan base, and commercial power.
Baseball’s New York Yankees anchor Major League Baseball’s presence, tied for tenth at $8.2 billion. Different leagues use different economic models, so cross-sport comparisons depend heavily on media deals and revenue sharing rather than fan numbers alone.
How We Ranked the Most Valuable Sports Teams
This ranking is based on Forbes’ 2026 valuation of the world’s 50 most valuable sports teams, which weighs franchise revenue, market size, stadium economics, and league media deals. Valuations reflect enterprise value rather than recent sale prices.
We present the official top ten with each team’s valuation and the factors behind it. Because sports valuations rise quickly with new media contracts, figures are best viewed as a current snapshot, as detailed in Forbes’ most valuable teams data.
What Drives a Team’s Value
Three forces matter most: league media deals, market size, and stadium revenue. A giant national TV contract can lift an entire league, while a large local market and a modern, event-ready stadium multiply a single team’s earning power.
Championships help the brand but matter less than many fans assume, as the Cowboys and Knicks prove despite long title droughts. Steady revenue and scarcity, not recent trophies, are what keep valuations climbing, according to Forbes’ sports team valuations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most valuable sports team in the world in 2026?
The Dallas Cowboys are the most valuable sports team in the world at $13.0 billion, leading all franchises across every league thanks to enormous sponsorship and stadium revenue.
Why are NFL teams worth so much?
The NFL’s huge national TV contracts are shared equally among teams, guaranteeing every franchise massive baseline revenue. That model puts 30 of the NFL’s 32 teams among the world’s 50 most valuable.
What is the most valuable soccer team?
Real Madrid is the most valuable soccer club at $9.5 billion on Forbes’ soccer ranking, holding the top spot for the fifth year running thanks to its global brand and commercial success.
Are any baseball teams in the top 10?
The New York Yankees are tied for tenth at $8.2 billion, making them the most valuable Major League Baseball team and the only baseball franchise near the top of the overall list.
Do championships increase a team’s value?
They help the brand, but steady revenue matters more. The Cowboys and Knicks rank near the top despite long title droughts, showing that market size and media deals outweigh recent trophies.