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The Rugby Football Union is in a “strong position” but “not out of the woods” after it announced a 10-year high revenue of \u00a3228m in its latest financial accounts, says chief executive Bill Sweeney.<\/b><\/p>\n
The latest RFU annual report reveals the second-highest revenues in history, with losses down from \u00a342m in 2023-24 to \u00a32m.<\/p>\n
While the union’s long-term future at Twickenham remains uncertain, Sweeney believes the game is emerging strongly from a difficult few years.<\/p>\n
“We have still got financial challenges, but we are in a good place,” he told BBC Sport.<\/p>\n
“We sit here today feeling things have moved on well and we are in a really strong position going forward.<\/p>\n
“We are not completely out of the woods \u2013 but we have no debt, a strong balance sheet, and generating a lot of revenue as well.”<\/p>\n
The heavy losses in the 2023-24 accounts sparked a furore which threatened Sweeney’s position, especially given his \u00a31.1m remuneration.<\/p>\n
Sweeney was forced to fight for his position at a special general meeting in January, where he survived a vote of no confidence from the game.<\/p>\n
The latest accounts, which cover June 2024 to June 2025, is the first year of a four-year cycle, with the improved financial outlook helped considerably by seven home men’s internationals in that period.<\/p>\n
Conversely, part of the losses in 2023-24 can be attributed to the high costs of preparing for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, coupled with only five games at Twickenham.<\/p>\n
Current revenues are at a 10-year high, second only to the home men’s Rugby World Cup year in 2015-16.<\/p>\n
“In this first year of our new four-year cycle, a positive start is key as we know the fourth year always brings substantial losses,” said Francesca Pierce, RFU chief financial officer.<\/p>\n
“This is even more important, given rising cost pressures and the wider consumer backdrop.”<\/p>\n
The RFU says it is in dialogue with World Rugby to review the revenue model in men’s Rugby World Cup years, which they call “a recognised challenge across the game”.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile the RFU report outlines how the sport continues to face financial challenges, such as inflationary pressures and a heavy reliance on matchday revenues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n