RFU losses down to £2m after 'year of progress'

The Rugby Football Union has announced a 10-year high revenue of £228m in its latest financial accounts, but returned a small overall loss of nearly £2m.

This marks a significant improvement from the £42m loss in 2023-2024, which sparked a furore that threatened chief executive Bill Sweeney's position.

Sweeney's salary is £700,000, which includes a bonus, but not from the long-term incentive plan (LTIP) scheme, which proved so controversial this time last year when he took home £1.1m in total.

"This has been a year of progress amid challenges," Sweeney said.

"We've made genuine advances on and off the field, yet we know parts of the game remain under real pressure."

The latest accounts, which cover June 2024 to June 2025, is the first year of a four-year cycle, with the improved financial outlook helped considerably by seven home men's internationals in that period.

Conversely, part of the losses in 2023-2024 can be attributed to the high costs of preparing for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, coupled with only five games at Twickenham.

The latest revenues are the second highest in RFU history, behind the home men's Rugby World Cup year in 2015-2016.

"In this first year of our new four-year cycle, a positive start is key as we know the fourth year always brings substantial losses," added Francesca Pierce, RFU chief financial officer.

"This is even more important, given rising cost pressures and the wider consumer backdrop."

The RFU say it is in dialogue with World Rugby to review the revenue model in men's Rugby World Cup years, which they call "a recognised challenge across the game".

Meanwhile the RFU report outlines how the sport continues to face financial challenges, such as inflationary pressures and a heavy reliance on matchday revenues.

The redevelopment of Allianz Stadium is also high on the agenda, "an essential long-term project", the cost of which is estimated to exceed £650m.

However the union has faced opposition from the local council over the plan to host a number of non-rugby events at the stadium in Twickenham, which has threatened to derail the project.