How much can Birmingham City spend under SCR?

Birmingham City has a guaranteed SCR spending limit of £30.3m — 85% of estimated football revenue of £35.6m. If the owner uses the full equity top-up, the ceiling rises to £45.3m.

What is Birmingham City's SCR headroom?

Birmingham City's estimated SCR headroom is −£8.6m — the difference between their guaranteed 85% limit of £30.3m and their estimated £38.9m squad cost. With the owner top-up, the max allowance rises to £45.3m.

EFL Squad Cost Ratio

How much can Birmingham City spend?

Under the EFL's Squad Cost Ratio rules, Birmingham City have a guaranteed spending limit of £30.3m — 85% of estimated football revenue of £35.6m. Against their estimated squad cost that is £8.6m short. If the owner injects the maximum top-up (£15m/season), the ceiling rises to £45.3m.

Birmingham City: the SCR breakdown

Estimated revenue (football) reported £35.6m
85% SCR limit (no owner top-up) £30.3m
Estimated squad cost reported £38.9m
Headroom vs 85% limit −£8.6m
+ Max owner equity top-up (if used) £15m
Max spending allowance (with top-up) £45.3m
Headroom vs max allowance +£6.4m

Restricted - squad cost is 109.3% of revenue

What this means

On these estimates, Birmingham City are spending well above what SCR allows. Closing that gap usually means selling players or growing revenue before they can strengthen further.

Old rules vs new: PSR compared to SCR

Under the old PSR system, clubs were judged on total losses over three years, not on what they spent on the squad as a share of revenue. Here's how Birmingham's position compares under both sets of rules.

Old PSR (loss-based)	New SCR (revenue-based)
3-year losses: −£66.4m reported Limit: £39m Headroom: −£27.4m 2021/22–2023/24 (Championship/League One)	Squad cost: £38.9m 85% limit: £30.3m · Max (with top-up): £45.3m Headroom: −£8.6m Based on £35.6m revenue

Losses of £25m, £25.3m and £16.1m over three years (£66.4m, £27.4m over the £39m limit). No EFL action during this period despite the breach - previous 2018 charge (9-point deduction) was for an earlier window. New Knighthead ownership (July 2023) improved losses and needs £59m additional funding from them.

Note on this club's figures. 2024/25 revenue £35.6m (League One champions - unusually high for third tier, driven by commercial growth). Wages £38.9m (109% of revenue). Pre-tax loss £34.6m. Sources: insidermedia.com, aol.com/sport, bcfc.com official accounts.
Source.

Compare Birmingham with another club

West Brom vs Birmingham: the West Midlands SCR derby

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Figures are illustrative estimates from published accounts and public reporting, not official SCR submissions. SCR uses adjusted football revenue, which differs from headline turnover. Last reviewed 2026-05-17. Full rules explainer →