How Much Does A Rugby Player Make?

Since rugby is a popular televised sport that is played in many different countries and in international competitions, rugby players can make a range of incomes based on the league they play in, as well as their fame and success. However, rugby players’ salaries are almost always far less than salaries for other professional athletes such as soccer players.

Top-notch rugby players in England’s Premiership League, one of the most watched private club leagues, can make up to 800,000 Great British Pounds, or $920,000. However, on average, English Premiership rugby players earn around 150,000 Great British Pounds ($172,000) per year. If players are good enough to play for their international team, they often get paid based on their amount of appearances or participation in world tours and competitions. International players’ pay ranges greatly based on the team’s popularity.

England Premiership and More Popular Leagues

England’s Premiership Rugby league is one of the most popular club rugby leagues that people follow. Since the sport was created in England, many of the teams have rich histories, attracting fans around the globe. On average, for a starting first team player, English Premiership Rugby players make about 150,000 Great British Pounds, or $172,000, each year, though generally, salaries range greatly. Younger or less experienced players might usually make around 40,000 Great British Pounds ($46,000) per year. Meanwhile, more experienced players can even make up to 800,000 Great British pounds ($920,000) per year on the highest end of the scale.

For the French Top 14 League, the highest club competition in France, players on average earn more than English Premiership players, making roughly 240,000 Euros per year. On the top end, French Top 14 players can make up to 850,000 Euros each year. 

Though salaries and annual pay are important factors in determining what a rugby player makes, it is important to take into account individual players’ brand partnerships and promotions as well. Some of the more popular rugby players can make extra money on the side by promoting brands, receiving sponsorship deals, or bonuses for wins.

United States MLR

Professional rugby is relatively new to the United States. While the Major League Rugby league is rapidly growing in popularity, it is hardly considered a professional league due to the low earnings of players. Only a few players per team can make a sustainable living playing full time, and often players play in their free time while working other full-time jobs.  In Major League Rugby, each team’s total salary cap is just $500,000. This budget must pay for each player on the team’s roster.

Since MLR teams have far lower budgets than English Premiership or French Top 14 teams, the average MLR player makes between $10,000 and $20,000 per year. On the highest end, veteran players may make up to $45,000 from playing rugby in the United States. This is reserved for the stars at the top of the league. On average, more experienced players make between $20,000 and $30,000 per year playing full-time. Since the MLR is still developing, some players play only part-time, making far less than the MLR players that make $20,000-$30,000 yearly.

Rugby 7s Pay

Rugby Sevens is unique because it is mainly only played at the international level. While players may make side incomes from brand partnerships, promotions, and tournament bonuses, the average Rugby Sevens player makes around 50,000 Great British Pounds per year playing for an established international team like Great Britain. On the top end, Rugby Sevens players can make around 80,000 Great British Pounds each year, though this is only reserved for the most experienced athletes. However, Rugby Sevens players that play for smaller or less successful international teams can make considerably less.

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