How much can Portsmouth spend under SCR?

Portsmouth has a guaranteed SCR spending limit of £11.6m — 85% of estimated football revenue of £13.6m. If the owner uses the full equity top-up, the ceiling rises to £26.6m.

What is Portsmouth's SCR headroom?

Portsmouth's estimated SCR headroom is £960k — the difference between their guaranteed 85% limit of £11.6m and their estimated £10.6m squad cost. With the owner top-up, the max allowance rises to £26.6m.

EFL Squad Cost Ratio

How much can Portsmouth spend?

Under the EFL's Squad Cost Ratio rules, Portsmouth have a guaranteed spending limit of £11.6m — 85% of estimated football revenue of £13.6m. Against their estimated squad cost that leaves £960k of headroom. If the owner injects the maximum top-up (£15m/season), the ceiling rises to £26.6m.

Portsmouth: the SCR breakdown

Estimated revenue (football) reported £13.6m
85% SCR limit (no owner top-up) £11.6m
Estimated squad cost reported £10.6m
Headroom vs 85% limit +£960k
+ Max owner equity top-up (if used) £15m
Max spending allowance (with top-up) £26.6m
Headroom vs max allowance +£16m

High spending power - squad cost is 77.9% of revenue

What this means

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

Old PSR (loss-based)	New SCR (revenue-based)
3-year losses: −£10m estimated Limit: £39m Headroom: +£29m 2022/23–2024/25 (Champ/League One)	Squad cost: £10.6m 85% limit: £11.6m · Max (with top-up): £26.6m Headroom: +£960k Based on £13.6m revenue

Very strong PSR position - estimated ~£10m losses over three years (£5.6m in 2023/24, £4.4m in 2024/25). Debt-free, with minimal player amortisation. One of the best PSR positions in the division alongside Plymouth.

Note on this club's figures. 2023/24 revenue £13.6m (League One title-winning season). Total payroll £10.6m. 2024/25 Championship revenue will be materially higher due to broadcast uplift - estimate ~£20m. Sources: portsmouthfc.co.uk official accounts, pompeytrust.com, portsmouth.co.uk.
Source.

Compare Portsmouth 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 →