Scarlets announce £2.1m loss in 'challenging' time

Scarlets announce £2.1m loss in 'challenging' timeImage source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Scarlets finished 14th in the United Rugby Championship in 2025-26Published1 minute agoScarlets made a loss of £2.1m during the 2024-2025 season, according to the club's latest accounts.It is a third year in a row the Welsh region have posted a loss of more than £2m.The financial results cover the period to June 2025, with the loss down from £2.6m from the previous 12 months.Turnover dropped from £10.2m compared to £11.3m with gate receipts, sponsorship and money received from the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) all down.The region made cuts to outgoings of 10%, with the wage bill down from £8.24m to £6.94m.A new share issue also boosted finances by £940,000.Scarlets' debt remains in excess of £10m, with money owed primarily to the WRU and Carmarthenshire county council, who own the Parc y Scarlets ground.While the figures in the latest annual report only cover the period until mid-2025, comments in the financial report from the Scarlets hierarchy also discuss events of the past 12 months.The report says the operating environment for professional rugby in Wales has been "challenging" and "deeply uncertain" with the WRU looking to reduce the number of professional clubs from four to three.The union has stated it will look to implement this controversial policy by the 2028-29 season, although it has not yet outlined how that process will happen.Welsh rugby's governing body has previously stated there will be one licence for a professional side granted in the east, one in Cardiff and one in the west, which could pit Llanelli-based Scarlets and Swansea-based Ospreys against each other."The ongoing review of the professional game by the WRU, including consideration of a possible reduction in the number of professional clubs in Wales, has created an unsettling backdrop for our players, staff, supporters and commercial partners,&q...