Premier League: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc, Chelsea recorded a post-tax loss of £145.6million for the financial year ending in June. This was mainly due to the lack of ticket revenue as most matches had to be played behind closed doors at Stamford Bridge. Follow Premier League live updates on InsideSport.IN
Despite a jump in turnover for the last financial year – by £29m to £416.8m – a near-complete loss of matchday revenue contributed massively to an overall post-tax loss. Matchday revenue was just £7.2m, with the majority of matches at Stamford Bridge played behind closed doors.
For comparison, the last full campaign pre-Covid saw the club make £75.6m in matchday revenue – so the last financial year saw a loss of £68.4m. The Blues, owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, made a profit of £39.5m in the previous financial year, before the pandemic.
Before the current season, just three games had any capacity at all – and that was with a limit of 2,000 last December and then 10,000 in May.
A lack of fans on matchday also meant the club took a hit regarding their commercial income – the accounts show it falling by £16.1m to £136million – however there was a net increase in sponsorship revenue.
Broadcasting revenue actually increased by £91million to £273.6m, but that was due to the 2019-20 Premier League season running until late-July, alongside additional Champions League encounters.
The last financial year saw Chelsea change first-team managers, with club legend Frank Lampard replaced by Thomas Tuchel in January, who then led the club to their second Champions League title in May.
