Revenue hit by empty stadiums during Six NationsUnderlying loss to reserves of £21.3m in latest accountsThe Rugby
Football Union has laid bare the full financial impact of the
Coronavirus pandemic, announcing a revenue shortfall of £120m compared to previous forecasts. The union also revealed an underlying loss to reserves of £21.3m – around £30m worse than pre-pandemic forecasts – in its latest accounts published on Wednesday.
The report states that revenue was £97m, down from £167m the previous year, as the pandemic took hold. The union generates 85% of its revenue from
England men’s internationals at Twickenham but this year’s Six Nations championship was played in empty stadiums. Despite the dismal fifth-place finish, the report combines the results of Eddie Jones’s side with the women’s team to claim the guiding principle of a “winning England” was complete.