SFA Annual Financial Report Released

Record turnover and profit due to Euro 2024 qualification

The Scottish Football Association (SFA) exist to promote, develop and regulate the game of football in Scotland. They are a separate organisation to the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) - who govern the professional league system in Scotland. Although the two organisations work closely together, in the same building, there is a clear distinction that is misunderstood by some - especially on social media.

When looking at league football, as a basic example - the SFA train and provide the referees and deal with any appeals against wrongful dismissal, even though it’s an SPFL league match. Meanwhile, the SPFL are responsible for commercially exploiting the Scottish game, so for example will negotiate the TV deal for selling SPFL league matches. The SPFL set the fixtures for the league season, and will seek sponsorship for the SPFL Leagues as well as the League Cup - but are not involved in the Scottish Cup, as that is managed by the SFA.

---

THE SFA’S INCOME

The SFA has unfortunately not provided a detailed ‘annual review’ since pre-covid, which gave real insight into the previous year - including where they get their money and what they spent it on. This is unfortunate, and instead we can only go with their less informative financial accounts made up to year end 31st December 2024.

The SFA’s turnover is mainly derived from TV & radio deals and payments from UEFA and FIFA. While the SFA sell the broadcasting rights for the Scottish Cup matches to the media, this is not the case for Scotland international matches. UEFA has had an agreement with its member nations since 2014 to take on a centralised responsibility for selling the rights to all UEFA international matches.

A breakdown of SFA turnover and expenditure from the SFA’s 2019 annual review.

At long last, the SFA also receives prize money from UEFA for qualifying to major tournaments! A large chunk of the SFA’s revenue is also generated from ticket money; for Scotland matches at Hampden as well as 5% of all ticket sales from all Scottish Cup matches. Concerts held at Hampden raise money for the SFA too, as does any sponsorship agreements. This article will delve deeper into the finances of the SFA, explaining a number of metrics while comparing them over the past 30 years, including:

• Turnover

  • Where the increase comes from

  • Record profit

  • Euro 2024

• Hampden Park

  • Events: football & non-football

  • Debenture holders

• Outgoings

  • Admin expenses

  • Wages

  • CEO Salary

• “Future risks” - fan behaviour

  • Now Vs 30 years ago

• Other aspects

  • Transition report of 2024

  • Euro 2028

  • SPFL - parachute payments & rent payments

  • UEFA solidarity payments (restatement)

• Community initiatives

  • Pitching in campaign

  • Grassroots

  • Facilities funding

---

TURNOVER

SFA turnover over the last 30 years