EFL Squad Cost Ratio
How much can Bristol City spend?
Under the EFL's Squad Cost Ratio rules, Bristol City can spend
around £49.3m on squad
costs - based on an estimated £40.3m of football
revenue and the 85% limit, plus the owner equity top-up.
That leaves an estimated £13.4m of headroom.
Bristol City: the SCR breakdown
- Estimated revenue (football) reported £40.3m
- SCR limit - 85% of revenue £34.3m
- + Owner equity top-up (max / season) £15m
- Effective spending allowance £49.3m
- Estimated squad cost reported £35.9m
- Headroom +£13.4m
High spending power
- squad cost is 89.1% of revenue
What this means
On these estimates, Bristol 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 Bristol City's position compares under both sets of rules.
| Old PSR (loss-based) | New SCR (revenue-based) |
|---|---|
|
3-year losses: −£54m
reported
Limit: £39m Headroom: −£15m 2021/22–2023/24 (Championship) |
Squad cost: £35.9m
Limit (85% + top-up): £49.3m Headroom: +£13.4m Based on £40.3m revenue |
Losses of £28.5m, £22.2m and £3.3m over three years (£54m total, £15m over limit). No EFL sanctions reported. Significant improvement in 2023/24. Club stated compliance will be tighter in 2026/27 absent further player sales.
Note on this club's figures. 2024/25 revenue £40.3m (down from £42.4m in 2023/24). Wages £35.9m. Sources: Swiss Ramble (2024/25 and 2023/24 editions), bcfc.co.uk official accounts.
Source.
Source.
Compare Bristol City 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 →