Business · Companies · 1 hr ago
Regulator warns most English football clubs face serious financial risks
A new football regulator says most English clubs face serious financial risks after examining teams across the game’s pyramid.
The report found that 94% of clubs in the top five leagues made a loss in 2025/26, even though English football generated £9 billion in revenue.
Nearly all clubs rely on money from their owners, and about two thirds say they could not survive more than 90 days if that support stopped.
The regulator says clubs, especially in the lower divisions, often overspend to try to reach the Premier League and its greater revenues.
Club failures can harm supporters, communities and local economies, as seen in past financial crises at clubs including Bury and Sheffield Wednesday.
The regulator is urging the Premier League and English Football League to agree on a new way to share revenue.
If they cannot agree, the regulator may impose a settlement using its powers; a final report is due in early 2027 after public consultation.
England’s independent football regulator warned that most clubs in the English football pyramid face serious financial risks.
The regulator found that 94 per cent of clubs in the top five leagues made a loss in the 2025/26 season.
Nearly all clubs rely on cash from their owners, and about two thirds would not survive more than 90 days without that support.
The report said clubs are being driven to overspend in pursuit of promotion and the Premier League’s revenues.
The regulator called for urgent reform and renewed calls for the Premier League and English Football League to agree on a financial settlement.
- Who
- England’s independent football regulator, which published the report.
- What
- It warned that most English football clubs face serious financial risks and called for urgent reform.
- When
- The report covers the 2025/26 season. The article was published on 13 October 2026.
- Where
- The English football pyramid, including the top five leagues.
- Why
- The regulator said clubs rely on owner funding and overspend to try to move up divisions and reach the Premier League.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Bury were expelled from the English Football League after falling into financial trouble.
Macclesfield Town collapsed due to rising debts.
94 per cent of teams in England’s top five leagues made a loss.
The Independent published the report’s findings.
- Loss-making clubs
- 94 per cent of teams in England’s top five leagues in 2025/26
- English football revenue
- £9bn in the 2025/26 season
- Owner support
- Around two thirds of clubs would not survive more than 90 days without it
- Long-term survival
- Almost one third of clubs could not last more than a month without owner funding
- Future report
- Final report expected in early 2027
What people are saying
The conclusion is clear: we can’t afford to waste any more time failing to address the levels of financial risk which have become embedded in English football.
If football can’t find a solution we will consider our next steps and will not hesitate to use all the powers at our disposal to bring about lasting change.
Sources
Related news
London Stock Exchange owner in talks to buy Octus for £2.6bn
Poundland takeover talks continue as union warns of administration risk
Believe appoints Viktoria Siniavskaia to lead EMEA
Whitbread says UK tax rises led it to cut planned hotel investment
UK prime minister weighs approval of two North Sea oil and gas fields
Morrisons sales growth outpaces Sainsbury’s for first time in five years
FTSE 100 slips as concerns about technology valuations weigh on shares
Weston family buys Boots for US$8.9 billion, with plans to invest
British nationals accounted for one-fifth of payroll growth since 2014, analysis says
UK grocery inflation rises as shoppers turn to supermarket deals
Creditors sue Altice International over asset shifts
