EFL Squad Cost Ratio
How much can Birmingham City spend?
Under the EFL's Squad Cost Ratio rules, Birmingham City can spend
around £45.3m on squad
costs - based on an estimated £35.6m of football
revenue and the 85% limit, plus the owner equity top-up.
That leaves an estimated £6.4m of headroom.
Birmingham City: the SCR breakdown
- Estimated revenue (football) reported £35.6m
- SCR limit - 85% of revenue £30.3m
- + Owner equity top-up (max / season) £15m
- Effective spending allowance £45.3m
- Estimated squad cost reported £38.9m
- Headroom +£6.4m
High spending power
- squad cost is 109.3% of revenue
What this means
On these estimates, Birmingham City sit comfortably inside the 85% Green Threshold. They have room to invest in the squad without straining the rules.
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
Limit (85% + top-up): £45.3m Headroom: +£6.4m 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.
Source.
Compare Birmingham with another club
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 →