Bristol City has released its annual financial report for the 2024-25 fiscal year, revealing pre-tax losses amounting to £18.6 million.
This marks a substantial increase from last year’s loss of £3.3 million, with the club attributing the rise primarily to “lower profits from player transfers.”
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During the summer of 2023, midfielder Alex Scott was transferred to Bournemouth for £25 million, while Antoine Semenyo also joined the Cherries for over £10 million in the previous transfer window.
Since then, the most notable departure was striker Tommy Conway’s move to Middlesbrough in the summer of 2024, as he entered the final year of his contract.
City’s CEO, Tom Rawcliffe, commented: “While the loss is clearly greater than last year, it aligns with our expectations and underscores the beneficial financial effects of significant player sales and a successful trading model.”
According to EFL profit and sustainability regulations, clubs cannot incur losses exceeding £41.5 million over a rolling three-year period.
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The club asserts it remains in “a strong position,” but cautions that “without further player sales, we will be much closer to the threshold in the 2026-27 season.”
Bristol City Holdings Limited’s revenue declined by £2.5 million, attributed to a reduction in summer events at Ashton Gate, as the stadium prepared for the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Revenue from that tournament will be reflected in next year’s accounts.
Staff expenditures also rose by £1 million, largely due to an expanded player budget and increased employer national insurance contributions that came into effect in April 2025.
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A 4% drop in ticketing revenue from matches at Ashton Gate, which now stands at £7.4 million, is attributed primarily to lower attendance for Bristol City Women following their relegation from the Super League.
Bristol City Women’s team was sold in September to the multi-club ownership group Mercury13, with City’s majority shareholder, Lansdown, no longer holding a controlling stake.
Guernsey-based billionaire Lansdown, who also owns rugby union club Bristol Bears and basketball team Bristol Flyers, converted £7.5 million of debt into equity over the year through a share issue to financially support the club.
“Our commitment to enhancing revenue and managing costs remains steadfast to ensure we can provide Gerhard Struber with the necessary resources to build on last year’s positive campaign,” Rawcliffe added.
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“We are extremely grateful for the continued significant financial backing from the Lansdown family.”
Currently, Bristol City is positioned ninth in the Championship table, just two points shy of the play-off spots. The team is set to face 16th-placed West Bromwich Albion on December 26.