EFL Squad Cost Ratio
How much can Reading spend?
Under the EFL's Squad Cost Ratio rules, Reading can spend
around £5m on squad
costs - based on an estimated £10m of football
revenue and the 85% limit.
That puts them an estimated £1.4m over the limit on current figures.
Reading: the SCR breakdown
- Estimated revenue (football) reported £10m
- SCR limit - 50% of revenue £5m
- Estimated squad cost estimated £6.4m
- Headroom −£1.4m
Restricted
- squad cost is 63.8% of revenue
What this means
On these estimates, Reading are spending well above what SCR allows. Closing that gap usually means selling players or growing revenue before they can strengthen further.
Note on this club's figures. 2023-24 revenue £10m (down from £18.67m Championship). 2024-25 accounts show losses narrowed; new owner Rob Couhig since mid-2024. Est. 2025-26 wages £122,740/wk (£6.38m/yr). Wages historically 127%+ of revenue. Total debt ~£80m (highest in L1 — Dai Yongge era). Average weekly wage fell to £5,918 in 2025 (record low). Wages as % of income still 127% in 2025 — severe chronic SCMP breach risk. EFL owner deposit rules breached under previous ownership. Sources: sentinelsportsgroup.co.uk (revenue/wages), insidermedia.com (2024-25 losses narrowed), rdg.today (wage history analysis).
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Compare Reading 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 →