The FA has today confirmed our financial results for the 2020-21 season, between 1 August 2020 to 31 July 2021.
During the 2020-21 season, The FA generated a total turnover of £443m [2019-20: £335m] with an operating profit of £132m [2019-20: £9.8m]. These financial results comprise a consolidation of Football Association Limited, Wembley National Stadium Limited and the National Football Centre Limited.
Broadcast and sponsorship revenues deferred from the 2019-20 season accounted for much of the increased turnover this year, alongside income and prize money related to UEFA EURO 2020. This was partially offset by a decrease across event and Club Wembley revenue due to fixtures being played behind closed doors.
The year brought an array of challenging circumstances, with the global pandemic having a significant impact on the men’s, women’s, and disability game at every level, threatening the survival of clubs and leagues across the country. As previously reported, the impact of COVID-19 required The FA to prepare for losses of up to £300 million, with the organisation removing £75 million from the annual budget in its four-year plan, refocusing priorities and adapting to preserve its core functions.
To support the wider game, The FA worked with stakeholders and Government to create a series of grants, loans, and subsidies totalling £65 million to support clubs at all levels to survive and to deliver the return to football. The organisation also received support from the UK Government during the pandemic, borrowing £175 million under the COVID-19 Corporate Financing Facility, which was repaid in September 2021.
Despite these challenges, The FA reinvested £122m back into every level of football, including coaching and participation, disability football, equality and child protection, competition prize money, facilities, County FAs, women’s football, and the grassroots game. This is slightly down on the £150m reinvestment across the game in the 2019-20 season, however if COVID-19 restrictions do not return, the organisation will be able to increase its investments from the 2022-23 season.
Partnerships with leading brands remains crucial to The FA’s success and their continued support enables investment into the game. The 2020-21 season saw several partnership renewals alongside the addition of Dettol and Xbox to the organisation’s partnership portfolio.
FA Chief Executive Officer Mark Bullingham said: "I’m very proud of what our organisation has achieved over the past year, both on and off the pitch, despite the extremely challenging circumstances caused by the pandemic. It put huge pressure on our finances, but despite this we managed to navigate our way through the season and, thanks to stakeholders across the game uniting brilliantly, we fought successfully to support and protect clubs throughout England.
"We also made good progress against many of our strategic goals, and we have built a strong foundation to drive forward the positive change that will help to improve English football at every level. As we recover from the significant disruption to our game and across wider society, we are now focused on delivering against our core strategic objectives to serve and support the game."
For more information on The FA’s financial results, please click here.
