How much can Bristol City spend under SCR?

Bristol City has a guaranteed SCR spending limit of £34.3m — 85% of estimated football revenue of £40.3m. If the owner uses the full equity top-up, the ceiling rises to £49.3m.

What is Bristol City's SCR headroom?

Bristol City's estimated SCR headroom is −£1.6m — the difference between their guaranteed 85% limit of £34.3m and their estimated £35.9m squad cost. With the owner top-up, the max allowance rises to £49.3m.

EFL Squad Cost Ratio

How much can Bristol City spend?

Under the EFL's Squad Cost Ratio rules, Bristol City have a guaranteed spending limit of £34.3m — 85% of estimated football revenue of £40.3m. Against their estimated squad cost that is £1.6m short. If the owner injects the maximum top-up (£15m/season), the ceiling rises to £49.3m.

Bristol City: the SCR breakdown

Estimated revenue (football) reported £40.3m
85% SCR limit (no owner top-up) £34.3m
Estimated squad cost reported £35.9m
Headroom vs 85% limit −£1.6m
+ Max owner equity top-up (if used) £15m
Max spending allowance (with top-up) £49.3m
Headroom vs max allowance +£13.4m

Balanced - squad cost is 89.1% of revenue

What this means

On these estimates, Bristol City are spending above the 85% Green Threshold but within reach of it - the kind of position the owner top-up allowance is designed to cover. Manageable, but not unlimited.

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 85% limit: £34.3m · Max (with top-up): £49.3m Headroom: −£1.6m 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.

Compare Bristol City with another club

Wolverhampton Wanderers Sheffield United Southampton Burnley Luton Town Watford

← All Championship clubs ranked by SCR headroom

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 →