Financial turmoil in English professional rugby: a holistic performance assessment of English rugby union clubs (2003–2022)

Purpose Rugby union is encountering financial turmoil on a scale never seen before. League organisers and governing bodies are calling for reform to protect the future sustainability of the sport. This paper aims to analyse the financial health of the game at the elite level and provide an intra-industry comparison of the best and worst-performing clubs. Design/methodology/approach Data for the research were derived by dissecting the annual accounts of nine English Premiership rugby union clubs between 2003 and 2022. Analysis of sporting and financial variables was performed using a Performance Assessment Model (PAM). Findings At the club level, there is a significant cause for concern in respect of financial health. Many clubs are simply treading water, maximising neither financial nor sporting performance. If left unchecked, there is the acute possibility that some rugby union clubs may cease to exist in the future which will further damage the commercial attractiveness of the game itself. Research limitations/implications There is very little focus on English professional rugby in academic literature. There is a lack of data and empirical evidence that is needed to inform and drive the structural change necessary for the game to survive and grow in the future. This paper targets this gap in the literature and therefore contributes to the applied sport finance research field. Originality/value There is very little focus on English professional rugby in academic literature which subsequently means there is a lack of data and empirical evidence that is needed to inform and drive the structural change necessary for the game to survive and grow in the future. This paper targets this gap in literature and therefore contributes to the applied sport finance research field. The paper offers practical recommendations and potential solutions for rugby union to consider a more financially sustainable future for both member clubs and league organisers, focusing on the long-term position as opposed to short-term sporting gain.