The TOP 14 budget

The French Pro D 1 rugby championship, also known as the Top 14, relies on careful financial management to ensure its survival and growth. Each budget item, like an organ, is crucial to maintain balance and react to unforeseen events, thus ensuring the lasting success of the competition. Let's discover the financial weight of the Top 14 and some of its clubs.

Overall growth of the Top 14 budget

For the 2024-2025 season, the overall budget of the Top 14 clubs increased by 4.2%, reaching a total of €471.907 million. This increase reflects the financial strength and growing attractiveness of French rugby, but it also highlights the need for clubs to continue to innovate in order to maintain this growth. Revenue from television rights and ticketing remain essential sources to support this expansion.

Stade Toulousain: The leader with strong growth

Stade Toulousain, with a budget of €50.372 million, recorded an increase of 8.6%. This financial performance makes the club the best endowed in the Top 14. To maintain this level, the club relies on its sporting performances, significant support from its sponsors, as well as a loyal fan base. However, managing costs related to player salaries and infrastructure development poses a challenge.

Stade Français: A strong competitor

Stade Français, with a budget of €45.355 million, remains a strong competitor. Although this figure is below that of Stade Toulousain, the rigorous management of its resources allows the club to remain competitive. Revenue from partnerships, merchandising, and matchday revenues are major sources of funding for Stade Français.

Lyon le LOU: A strong progression

Lyon LOU, with 40.564 million euros, recorded a notable growth of 9.2%, the strongest among the Top 14 clubs. This dynamism is supported by a strategy aimed at increasing the visibility of the club and attracting new sponsors. However, this rise in power is accompanied by the challenge of prudent management of expenses to avoid a budgetary imbalance.

RC Toulon and Stade Rochelais: Between stabilization and moderate growth

RC Toulon, with a budget of 38.929 million euros, recorded a slight decrease of 1.8%, perhaps reflecting mixed sporting performances or difficulties in renewing certain partnerships. On the other hand, Stade Rochelais, with 37.347 million euros, posted an increase of 6.7%. For these clubs, the diversification of funding sources, in particular through the operation of infrastructure and community engagement, remains crucial to strengthen their economic stability.

Top 14 clubs, including Stade Toulousain, Stade Français and Stade Rochelais, rely on four financial pillars: sponsors, TV rights, ticketing and merchandising.

Sponsors provide a significant portion of revenue, while TV rights, negotiated by the National Rugby League, provide massive exposure. Ticketing and subscriptions allow clubs to capitalize on fan loyalty, especially during home games. Finally, merchandising, with sales of jerseys and derivative products, complements these sources, especially after major victories.

The budget of the French Rugby Championship is like the human body: it must be balanced and well coordinated so that each organ functions at its full potential, thus ensuring the vitality and competitiveness of the championship.