Oxford United posts net loss of £17.5m for financial year

The club, owned by Indonesian billionaire Erick Thohir, recorded a net loss for the financial year ending June 2025 of £17.5m, compared with £15.9m in the previous year.

Excluding new stadium development costs, the loss increased from £10.7m to £14.9m, which the club says reflects the higher cost base associated with playing in the Championship.

The club said it remains dependent on shareholder support, with the owners “continuing to invest both on and off the pitch to ensure Oxford United progresses towards its strategic goals”.

Oxford United chief executive Tim Williams (Image: Mike Allen)

Tim Williams, Oxford United’s chief executive officer, said: “The growth of the club’s revenues this year reflects both the strength of our business and the impact of our first year in the Championship.

“With that growth comes increased responsibility to ensure that every decision we make supports our long‑term plans.

“Investment in the men’s team, academy, commercial activities and operations has been essential to competing at this level, whilst we’ve continued to make significant progress with developing our women’s programme.

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“We remain focused on building a club capable of thriving in the years ahead – one that is competitive on the pitch, sustainable off it, and that positively impacts our community.”

Revenue for the year increased by £10.6m, rising from £8.4m in 2023/24 to £19.0m in 2024/25.

Oxford United said the majority of this increase was driven by “substantially higher” central distributions from the EFL and the Premier League which rose from £2.5m in the previous year to £11.5m in 2024/25.

New Oxford United stadium CGI (Image: Oxford United)

Gate receipts also grew year‑on‑year by more than £1.1m, reflecting increased demand and attendances at Championship level.

Commercial income, including sponsorship and advertising, continued its upward trajectory, rising to £3.3m.

The last year saw the club embark on a successful campaign to get planning permission for a new stadium in Kidlington.

The owners’ total direct investment in the new stadium project is now in excess of £10m.

Oxford United said that playing in the EFL Sky Bet Championship brought with it significantly higher revenue streams.

But it also brought increased costs to the business, resulting in higher sales from £10.3m to £19.2m and administrative expenses increased from £9.5m to £13.3m.

Grant Ferguson, chairman

Chairman Grant Ferguson added: “This year has been one of remarkable progress for Oxford United, both on the pitch and across the wider business.

“Competing in the Championship brought new opportunities and challenges alike, and while the financial demands increased significantly, so too did the scale of our ambition.

“Our ownership group has continued to provide unwavering support, enabling us to invest in the playing squad, strengthen our operations, and take major strides forward with the new stadium project.

“We are grateful to our supporters, partners, staff and the wider Oxfordshire community for their continued belief in what we are building.

“The journey is ongoing, and together we are creating a future of which this club can be genuinely proud.”