Chelsea face £100m loss as impact of missing out on Champions League revealed
Chelsea could lose more than £100million in revenue if they fail to qualify for European football this season.
That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider the Blues will face commercial issues alongside the anticipated loss of prize money.
Chelsea currently sit ninth in the Premier League table, with Champions League football now only possible if they finish sixth and Aston Villa win the Europa League.
While European qualification is unlikely through the league, the London giants will qualify for the Europa League if they can beat Man City in the FA Cup final on Saturday (16 May).
Although Chelsea will suffer a financial blow as a result of missing out on the Champions League, they could still earn reasonable prize money in the second-tier competition.
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VISIT THE CHELSEA FINANCE HUBHow much Chelsea will lose in Champions League prize money
Chelsea’s finances have been heavily scrutinised after their losses increased from £130m in 2023-24 to £263m last season.
However, the Blues’ revenue improved from £469m to £491m across the same period following their Conference League and Club World Cup successes.
| Financial Metric | Value |
| Commercial Revenue | £201m |
| Matchday Revenue | £87m |
| Broadcast Revenue | £203m |
| Total Revenue | £491m |
| Losses | £263m |
| Wages | £359m |
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson discussed how failing to qualify for the Champions League will impact Chelsea’s finances moving forward.
“It’s very bad if you look at their specific circumstances in respect of compliance,” said Borson.
“Now, on a long-term basis, a lot of these stories are consistent with there is actually no problem at all. It’s a big if, but if BlueCo are supportive financially of the club and underwrite their losses over the next x-number of years, there won’t be an issue.
“That applies to all of this stuff about solvency, the level of debt and everything else. Likewise, one year out of the Champions League just on a BlueCo level is neither here nor there.
“They take a hit of let’s say £80m if they’re in let’s say the Conference League, and maybe they take a hit of £70m if they’re in the Europa League. Obviously, it’s damaging for them on a one-off basis.”
How missing out on Champions League will impact Chelsea commercially
Borson revealed Chelsea could face sponsorship issues as a result of missing out on Champions League football.
“There will be a commercial impact, so maybe they lose £20-30m,” said Borson.
“But the wages come down, so they have a reduction in the wage bill, so that’s fine. That mitigates some of it. Ultimately, they have wealthy backers. As I say, these are short-term financial hits that the owners are more than capable of taking.
“Now, where the problems kick in are on all of the various FFP regimes that Chelsea have to comply with. You’ve got the Uefa settlement agreement, which makes the Uefa football earnings test very difficult to achieve if you don’t have European football.
“You’ve got the squad cost ratio, which is again very challenging if you take out, let’s say £70-80m out of the revenue line. Then you’ve got the Premier League squad cost ratio, which is the same problem.”
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