England Cricket Player Salaries 2026 underline how modern earnings go far beyond central contracts. Jos Buttler is currently regarded as the richest active England cricketer, while Ben Stokes sits in the ECB’s highest salary bracket with a retainer close to £800,000 per year.
That figure is only the starting point. IPL contracts worth more than ₹80 crore, The Hundred payments rising to £200,000, and established endorsement partnerships have reshaped the earnings profile of England’s leading players.
For the current generation, franchise cricket and commercial deals contribute as much, and in some cases more, than the ECB’s annual retainer.
ECB Central & Development Contracts 2026 – Structure & Salary Bands
The ECB follows a structured central contract system that balances long-term security with annual performance review.
Players are grouped by contract length, reflecting their role across formats and importance to England’s plans. The table below outlines each contract tier along with the players included.
| Contract Type | Players | Annual Salary Band* |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Year Central Contracts | Joe Root, Mark Wood, Harry Brook | Up to £800,000 |
| 2-Year Central Contracts | Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Rehan Ahmed, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts | £130,000 – £800,000 (based on role & format) |
| 1-Year Central Contracts | James Anderson, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, Moeen Ali, Dawid Malan, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley | £130,000 – £800,000 (based on format involvement) |
| Development Contracts | John Turner, Matthew Fisher, Saqib Mahmood | Not publicly disclosed |
Top 3 Richest ECB Cricketers 2026 – Net Worth & Income Breakdown
Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, and Joe Root are the wealthiest active ECB-contracted players in 2026.
Central contracts provide the base, but IPL deals, The Hundred earnings, and endorsements drive their overall net worth.
1. Jos Buttler
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth | ~£12 million (₹130+ crore approx.) |
| ECB Central Contract | Top-tier white-ball contract |
| Global Franchise Leagues | Major IPL and international T20 league earnings |
| Endorsements | Kit deals, sponsorship partnerships, and ambassadorial roles |
2. Ben Stokes
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth | £8–10 million+ (₹105+ crore approx.) |
| ECB Central Contract | Highest salary band, approximately £800,000–£1 million annually |
| IPL Earnings | Over ₹80 crore from previous IPL seasons |
| Endorsements | Adidas, Red Bull, Gunn & Moore, Dream11 |
3. Joe Root
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth | £7.5–8.5 million (₹84+ crore approx.) |
| ECB Central Contract | One of the highest annual retainers |
| Match Fees | Significant earnings from high Test match volume |
| Endorsements | Long-term partnerships, including New Balance and academy ventures |
Note: Stuart Broad reportedly holds a net worth of around £50 million but is retired from international cricket.
ECB Financial Strength & Revenue Model
The ECB’s financial structure is heavily dependent on media rights and domestic reinvestment.
| Financial Metric | Reported Figure |
|---|---|
| Estimated Board Valuation | $59 million (₹492 crore approx.) |
| Annual Revenue | £310 million |
| Broadcast Revenue | £225 million (75%) |
| Reinvestment Into Domestic Cricket | £120 million (40%) |
| Allocation To England Teams | 15% of revenue |
| Central & Administrative Costs | 15% of annual spend |
This structure ensures long-term stability while maintaining competitive player retainers.
England Cricket Central Contract Salaries 2026
The ECB classifies players under multi-year central contracts and development deals. Retainers vary by format of participation.
| Contract Category | Annual Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Elite Three-Format Players | Up to £800,000 |
| Test Specialists | Around £650,000 |
| Limited-Overs Specialists | £130,000 – £350,000 |
| Reported High-End Retainers (Certain Cases) | Around €900,000 |
| Development Contracts | Not Publicly Disclosed |
In addition, players receive a guaranteed share of commercial revenue under their agreement.
England Cricket Match Fees 2026 – Test, ODI & T20I
Match fees are paid separately from retainers.
| Format | Match Fee |
|---|---|
| Test Match | £12,500 – £14,500 |
| ODI | £5,000 |
| T20I | £3,500 |
England’s Test match fee is among the highest in international cricket.
The Hundred 2026 – Salary Cap & Domestic Boost
Domestic earnings play a growing role in total income.
| Competition Detail | 2026 Figure |
|---|---|
| Men’s Salary Cap | £2.05 million per team (45% increase) |
| Top Men’s Player Salary | Up to £200,000 |
| Women’s Salary Pot | £880,000 |
| Top Women’s Draft Reserve | £50,000 |
The Hundred significantly supplements central contracts.
Comparison With BCCI & Cricket Australia
| Board | Financial Position |
|---|---|
| BCCI | Net worth exceeding $2 billion; ~38.5% ICC revenue share |
| Cricket Australia | Valuation around $79 million |
| ECB | Valuation around $59 million |
The BCCI remains the undisputed financial leader, driven by IPL revenue and ICC earnings. While ECB retainers are competitive and, in some cases, comparable to other boards, overall financial power still ranks BCCI first, followed by Cricket Australia, then the ECB.
Key Income Drivers For England Players
- ECB Central Contracts (2025–26 range £130,000–£800,000+)
- The Hundred domestic competition
- IPL and global franchise leagues
- Brand endorsements and commercial deals
For many players, IPL earnings can match or exceed their annual ECB retainers within a single season.
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Conclusion – England Cricket Stars Earn Beyond Retainers
England’s salary system rests on strong central contracts, high Test match fees, and growing domestic league income. With revenues of around £310 million a year, the ECB maintains one of the most competitive pay structures in world cricket.
It may not match the BCCI’s scale, but England remains among the top three financial powers, and its leading players sit comfortably in the multi-million-pound bracket.
FAQs
Elite multi-format players earn up to £800,000 annually, with some reports citing figures near €900,000 in certain cases.
Jos Buttler is widely reported as the richest among active ECB-contracted players, with an estimated net worth of around £12 million.
He earns within the highest salary band, approximately £800,000 to £1 million annually through his central contract.
Between £12,500 and £14,500 per Test appearance.
No. The BCCI’s financial power significantly exceeds that of the ECB, driven by IPL and ICC revenue share.
