Cycling team budgets in 2025: how much do WorldTour teams really spend?

Back in 2021, the combined budget of all men’s WorldTour teams stood at €379 million. By 2024, that figure had grown to €499 million. For 2025, the total has now surpassed the €570 million mark – an increase of €71 million in just one year and nearly 50% growth in four years.

Notably, 87% of that €570 million comes directly from sponsors, underlining the central role of brand partnerships in pro cycling today.

• Average team budget (2025): €32 million (compared to 28 in 2024, and 20 in 2021)
• Median team budget: €27 million (excluding the richest and smallest-budget teams)

This range highlights the significant financial gap between the top teams and those with more modest resources.

When it comes to rider earnings, Tadej Pogačar tops the list. The Slovenian reportedly earns a bit more than €8 million per year at UAE Team Emirates. His contract runs until 2030.

The UCI shared average salary figures for WorldTour riders in 2025:

• Self-employed riders: average €636,000
• Employed riders: average €331,000
• Overall average: around €500,000

However, the wage gap is widening. Superstars like Pogačar, Evenepoel, Van der Poel, and Vingegaard earn millions, while mid-tier riders see far smaller paychecks.

Budget increases aren't limited to the top tier. Teams in both the men’s ProTeam division and the Women’s WorldTour have seen sharp growth:

• Men’s ProTeams: total budget of €159 million across 17 teams (up from €99 million in 2022)
• Average ProTeam budget: €9.4 million
• Women’s WorldTour: from €33 million in 2022 to €70 million in 2025, with 15 teams competing