SAINTS increased their revenue in 2025 - but the club's latest accounts underline the scale of the financial challenge they face after posting losses of more than £3.4m.
St Helens RFC posted a £3,459,277 operating loss for the year ending on October 31, 2025, according to figures released in the club’s latest annual report.
This marks a slight improvement from the previous year’s loss of £3,554,463.
Saints recorded a three per cent increase in total revenue - from £8,581,390 to £8,876,350 - but the club continues to grapple with rising costs across areas of the business.
These include player wages, business rates, employer national insurance contributions, and the ongoing repayment of government COVID-19 loans.
Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, and amortisation improved slightly to a loss of £2,482,999, down from £2,559,952 in 2024.
Meanwhile, the club’s net asset position shifted, moving from a positive £313,258 in 2024 to a net liability of £2,891, 096 in 2025.
Saints chairman Eamonn McManus said: "The financial challenges of Super League and its constituent clubs remain acute.
"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."
Mr McManus attributed much of the financial strain to reduced central revenues, particularly from broadcasting, which have not kept pace with rising costs and have contributed significantly to the club’s annual losses.
He added: "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.
"The costs of all teams have continued to increase as player wage inflation grows across the competition.
"That said, St Helens continues, and will continue, to commit to a policy of spending full salary cap and utilising all exemption provisions, including marquee.
"The Board of Directors and shareholders remain committed to this."
Mr McManus also pointed to wider economic pressures affecting the club’s finances.
He said: "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."
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The club continues to repay Covid-era government loans, which Mr McManus described as a further burden.
He said: "The annual sums of the repayment of our government Covid loans, which will continue for the next six years, further exacerbate the situation.
"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."
While home gate receipts remained stable compared to 2024, the club noted a decline in travelling supporters, believed to be due to the full television coverage of all Super League matches.
Retail sales also fell, but non-matchday hospitality and events held steady.
The club’s ownership of its stadium continues to generate non-rugby income, with the addition of hosting Liverpool FC Women’s matches throughout the season providing an extra revenue stream.
The report noted the 2025 season was challenging on the pitch. Saints exited the Challenge Cup in the quarter-finals at Warrington, and finished fifth in the league, eventually knocked out in the Super League playoff semi-finals by Hull KR.
The Saints women’s team also fell short, losing both the Grand Final and Challenge Cup Final.
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