EFL Championship Clubs: Matchday Revenue Rankings for the 2024-2025 Season
By Hal Fish and Daniel Hepburn
By Hal Fish and Daniel Hepburn
Summary
Matchday revenue, including ticket sales, season tickets, hospitality, and concessions, is a critical income stream for EFL Championship clubs, particularly as they navigate financial sustainability challenges under Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). The Deloitte Annual Review of Football Finance (2024) reported that Championship clubs generated £152m in matchday revenue in 2022/23, a £22m increase from the prior season, driven by rising attendances. For the 2024-2025 season, we rank the 24 EFL Championship clubs—those competing before Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland secured promotion—based on estimated average gate yield per home match, using UEFA data, Deloitte’s Football Money League 2025, and attendance trends.
Matchday revenue, including ticket sales, season tickets, hospitality, and concessions, is a critical income stream for EFL Championship clubs, particularly as they navigate financial sustainability challenges under Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). The Deloitte Annual Review of Football Finance (2024) reported that Championship clubs generated £152m in matchday revenue in 2022/23, a £22m increase from the prior season, driven by rising attendances. For the 2024-2025 season, we rank the 24 EFL Championship clubs—those competing before Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland secured promotion—based on estimated average gate yield per home match, using UEFA data, Deloitte’s Football Money League 2025, and attendance trends.
1. Sunderland
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Avg. Gate Yield per Home Match: €0.9m (£0.76m)
Sunderland’s Stadium of Light (48,707 capacity) drew the highest Championship attendance (41,769 average), generating €21m in matchday revenue. High fan loyalty and increased ticket prices boost their lead.
2. Leeds United
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Avg. Gate Yield per Home Match: €0.8m (£0.67m)
Elland Road’s 37,890 capacity and near-sellout crowds (36,954 average) yield €19m. Parachute payments and a strong fanbase drive revenue despite no European football.
3. Sheffield United
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Avg. Gate Yield per Home Match: €0.7m (£0.59m)
Bramall Lane’s 32,702 capacity sees 29,000 average attendance, generating €16m. Parachute payments and play-off contention support income.
4. West Bromwich Albion
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Avg. Gate Yield per Home Match: €0.6m (£0.51m)
The Hawthorns (26,688 capacity) averages 24,500 fans, yielding €14m. Consistent crowds and modest hospitality offerings maintain revenue.
5. Middlesbrough
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Avg. Gate Yield per Home Match: €0.5m (£0.42m)
Riverside Stadium’s 33,746 capacity draws 25,000 fans per match, generating €12m. Play-off pushes enhance ticket sales.
6. Coventry City
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Avg. Gate Yield per Home Match: €0.5m (£0.42m)
The CBS Arena (32,609 capacity) averages 24,000 fans, yielding €11m. Recent FA Cup runs boost hospitality revenue.
7. Norwich City
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Avg. Gate Yield per Home Match: €0.4m (£0.34m)
Carrow Road’s 27,359 capacity sees 25,000 fans, generating €10m. Parachute payments aid financial stability.
8. Burnley
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Avg. Gate Yield per Home Match: €0.4m (£0.34m)
Turf Moor’s 21,944 capacity averages 20,000 fans, yielding €9m. Parachute payments and promotion pushes sustain revenue.
9-24 (Estimated)
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9. Luton Town: €0.35m (£0.29m) – Kenilworth Road’s 11,500 capacity limits revenue.
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10. Hull City: €0.3m (£0.25m) – MKM Stadium’s 25,400 capacity yields €7m.
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11. Stoke City: €0.3m (£0.25m) – bet365 Stadium’s 30,089 capacity generates €7m.
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12. Bristol City: €0.28m (£0.24m) – Ashton Gate’s 27,000 capacity yields €6m.
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13. Watford: €0.27m (£0.23m) – Vicarage Road’s 22,200 capacity generates €6m.
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14. Swansea City: €0.26m (£0.22m) – Swansea.com Stadium’s 21,088 capacity yields €6m.
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15. Blackburn Rovers: €0.25m (£0.21m) – Ewood Park’s 31,367 capacity generates €5m.
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16. Queens Park Rangers: €0.24m (£0.20m) – Loftus Road’s 18,439 capacity yields €5m.
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17. Cardiff City: €0.23m (£0.19m) – Cardiff City Stadium’s 33,280 capacity generates €5m.
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18. Millwall: €0.22m (£0.19m) – The Den’s 20,146 capacity yields €5m.
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19. Sheffield Wednesday: €0.21m (£0.18m) – Hillsborough’s 39,732 capacity generates €4m.
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20. Preston North End: €0.20m (£0.17m) – Deepdale’s 23,404 capacity yields €4m.
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21. Derby County: €0.19m (£0.16m) – Pride Park’s 33,597 capacity generates €4m.
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22. Plymouth Argyle: €0.18m (£0.15m) – Home Park’s 18,000 capacity yields €4m.
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23. Portsmouth: €0.17m (£0.14m) – Fratton Park’s 20,899 capacity generates €3m.
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24. Oxford United: €0.15m (£0.13m) – Kassam Stadium’s 12,500 capacity yields €3m.
Conclusion
Championship clubs’ matchday revenue is heavily tied to stadium size and attendance, with Sunderland and Leeds leveraging large fanbases. Smaller venues like Luton’s limit earnings, while parachute payments provide financial cushions for relegated clubs. Rising ticket prices and hospitality offerings signal growth, but financial distress remains a concern for many.
Championship clubs’ matchday revenue is heavily tied to stadium size and attendance, with Sunderland and Leeds leveraging large fanbases. Smaller venues like Luton’s limit earnings, while parachute payments provide financial cushions for relegated clubs. Rising ticket prices and hospitality offerings signal growth, but financial distress remains a concern for many.
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