How much can Cardiff City spend under SCR?

Cardiff City has a guaranteed SCR spending limit of £21.9m — 85% of estimated football revenue of £25.8m. If the owner uses the full equity top-up, the ceiling rises to £36.9m.

What is Cardiff City's SCR headroom?

Cardiff City's estimated SCR headroom is −£17.1m — the difference between their guaranteed 85% limit of £21.9m and their estimated £39m squad cost. With the owner top-up, the max allowance rises to £36.9m.

EFL Squad Cost Ratio

How much can Cardiff City spend?

Under the EFL's Squad Cost Ratio rules, Cardiff City have a guaranteed spending limit of £21.9m — 85% of estimated football revenue of £25.8m. Against their estimated squad cost that is £17.1m short. If the owner injects the maximum top-up (£15m/season), the ceiling rises to £36.9m.

Cardiff City: the SCR breakdown

Estimated revenue (football) reported £25.8m
85% SCR limit (no owner top-up) £21.9m
Estimated squad cost reported £39m
Headroom vs 85% limit −£17.1m
+ Max owner equity top-up (if used) £15m
Max spending allowance (with top-up) £36.9m
Headroom vs max allowance −£2.1m

Restricted - squad cost is 151.2% of revenue

What this means

On these estimates, Cardiff 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 Cardiff's position compares under both sets of rules.

Old PSR (loss-based)	New SCR (revenue-based)
3-year losses: −£49.7m reported Limit: £39m Headroom: −£10.7m 2021/22–2023/24 (Championship)	Squad cost: £39m 85% limit: £21.9m · Max (with top-up): £36.9m Headroom: −£17.1m Based on £25.8m revenue

Losses of £26.6m, £11.4m and £11.7m over three years (£49.7m, £10.7m over the £39m limit). No EFL enforcement action reported. Owner Vincent Tan's continued funding kept the club operating but at the cost of growing debt (£97m owed to Tan). Relegated to League One in 2024/25.

Note on this club's figures. 2024/25 revenue £25.8m. Wages £39.0m (151% of revenue). Post-tax loss £35.1m. Net current liabilities £161.5m; £97m owed to owner Vincent Tan. Relegated to League One at end of 2024/25. Sources: ccfctrust.org, Kieran Maguire (X/Twitter), Companies House.
Source.

Compare Cardiff with another club

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← 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 →