St Helens have had their year-end accounts for 2025 released and chairman Eamonn McManus has released a statement to clarify those findings, whilst also calling on RL Commercial and Super League to do more to help clubs.
Whilst going through some turmoil at the moment amid the exit of Paul Rowley and the fact that they are sat outside the top six in Super League, St Helens are one of the powerhouse clubs in the sport in the northern hemisphere.
That is why it was shocking for so many when their annual financial report, released on the government website Companies House, revealed a loss of £3,369,716 for the 2025 season, however, the operating loss had actually improved from 2024.
Those figures were quickly shared on social media but the club would release their own statement, clarifying that earnings had marginally improved, despite still being at a loss.
The club said: “St Helens R.F.C. announced a small improvement in Earnings Before Interest, Taxation, Depreciation and Amortisation from £2,559,952 in 2024 to £2,482,999 in 2025.”
St Helens in crisis, Rowley exit reaction and debating Super League’s best-ever overseas player – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show!
St Helens chair addresses latest financial reports
A statement from chairman Eamonn McManus would accompany that statement with further clarification to explain the financial landscape that St Helens, and other rugby league clubs, find themselves in.
“The financial challenges of Super League and its constituent clubs remain acute,” McManus admitted.
Starting with positives, he said: “The Club itself has yet again experienced improvements in total operational revenues deriving from sponsorship, hospitality, events, retail and gate receipts. This trend continues the impressive upward in-house performance over the last decade.
“The recent major sponsorship and partnership with BrewDog further cements this strong underlying position, which in turn is underpinned by our ownership of our stadium and the continued absence of any third-party debt.”
McManus also asserted that despite player wage inflation continuing to grow, Saints remain committed to spending the full salary cap and utilising exemptions, such as marquee player status.
He’d add: “The recent increases in business rates, employer national insurance, national minimum wage and utilities have been a very material negative contributor to our increasing overall cost base, particularly given that we own our stadium and have an important hospitality business. The annual sums of the repayment of our government covid loans, which will continue for the next six years, further exacerbate the situation.”
At that point, McManus concluded by calling on RL Commercial and Super League to do more to help clubs improve their financial situations, pointing to the drop in broadcast revenue as a major blow.
McManus said: “But it is the major reduction in central revenues, particularly broadcast, in recent years which continue to be the main contributor to annual losses. Rugby League Commercial and Super League continue to seek to improve this area.
“It is essential that meaningful improvement is forthcoming if the finances of Super League and its constituent clubs are to improve at the required rate and to the necessary levels.”
With a new TV deal set for the 2027, Saints and many clubs will be hoping for an improved deal with the current deal believed to be worth around £21 million.
St.Helens R.F.C. announced a small improvement in Earnings Before Interest, Taxation, Depreciation and Amortisation from 2024 to 2025.#COYS
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) July 29, 2026
